Man assaults mother-in-law over love potion

HAVING come across a lizard tail in his food, Dickson Chatsauka (34) of Whande Village under Headman Matenda in Zvishavane beat up his 71-year-old mother-in-law Sarah Hadebe.

Hadebe was the victim of suspected korobela because Chatsauka had convictions that his wife, Kudzai Hadebe, got the idea to "tame" him from her mother.

A close family friend, Ndabenhle Sibanda told B-Metro that Chatsauka had gone out with friends on Independence Day and he returned home late at night to meet his special meal.

"Chatsauka returned from Matenda Growth Point and was offered supper by his wife. While enjoying the meal, he came across a lizard tail and some small sticks in his meal," said Sibanda.

Questions followed.

"He interrogated her over the strange 'spices' and she didn't give him a satisfactory answer. Chatsauka threatened to kill her and that is when she admitted that she had been instructed by her mother to put the lizard tail as it was a strong love potion," he said.

Raging with anger, Chatsauka proceeded to her in-laws' homestead and pummelled his wife's mother.

"Fuming with anger, he went to his in-laws' homestead that same night and confronted his mother-in-law over the issue. There was a heated argument and Chatsauka slapped his mother-in-law twice before he was restrained by family members, leaving her with a swollen face," said Ndlovu.

Chatsauka appeared before Chief Masunda's traditional court on Friday.

Chief Masunda, however, said he would still meet with them again this Friday as the matter was not finalised.

"I summoned Chatsauka after receiving a report that he assaulted his mother-in-law. However, after hearing his side of the story I summoned his mother-in-law together with his wife and I am yet to hear their side of the story," said the Chief.