Teacher remanded in custody for appearing in court drunk

A TEACHER at Mpopoma High School in Bulawayo was yesterday remanded in custody after he appeared drunk before a magistrate court to answer to contempt of court charges.

Nangisai Ngwenya, 34, of Nkulumane suburb, was dragged to court by his ex –wife, Melody Tsanangura, 30, of Entumbane suburb for allegedly violating a protection order issued against him in 2014.

The teacher was ordered not to visit his ex-wife's workplace or residence, but he went to the woman's house on January 16.

Ngwenya appeared before Provincial Magistrate, Abednico Ndebele, facing contempt of court charges.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to tomorrow after the magistrate noticed that he was drunk.

"I'm going to remand you in custody to Friday when you would have regained your sober senses," said Ndebele.

Ngwenya claimed that he had not violated the court order, but it was Tsanangura who had sought to reconcile with him.

He did not say whether or not he had visited Tsanangura on January 16.

"She is the one who went to my family and asked for forgiveness after she dumped me and sought a protection order. That's when I moved back in with her in Entumbane in June 2015 up until December 25 when we began fighting again," said Ngwenya.

"I moved back with her thinking that she had reformed but it was not the case. She only wants me when I have money and when I'm broke she does not wish to see me."

Prosecuting, Mufaro Mageza told the court that on January 16 at around 9PM, Ngwenya visited Tsanangura at her place of residence in breach of a protection order issued against him.

"The accused breached the term that states that he was supposed to stay away from complainant's place of residence and work place as ordered by the court," said Mageza.