Deaf man strikes wife's lover with axe

A 63-year-old deaf man from the Mamina communal area in Mhondoro, Christmas Makomeke, has been sentenced to three years in prison for striking a fellow villager with an axe accusing him of having an affair with his wife.

Makomeke was sentenced on his own plea of guilty to attempted murder when he appeared before Chinhoyi regional magistrate Never Katiyo last week.

The court heard that the complainant Cylus Bhunu (58) sustained serious shoulder, chest and head injuries in the attack which occurred on December 5 last year.

However, Makomeke had his jail sentence wholly suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour and that he pays $500 fine before March 29.

In passing sentence, the court considered Makomeke's advanced age as a mitigatory factor and that he was deaf and had been extremely provoked by the complainant who was, according to overwhelming evidence adduced in court, having an affair with the former's wife.

The court heard that on December 5 last year at around 6am, Makomeke met Bhunu just outside the latter's cattle pen.

Makomeke, who was armed with a hoe and an axe, accused Bhunu of having an affair with his wife.

Makomeke charged towards the complainant who tried to flee, but was immediately struck on the shoulder with an axe, lost balance and tumbled to the ground.

In a fit of rage, Makomeke struck Bhunu on the chest and head before the complainant managed to flee from the rampaging Makomeke.

The attack was reported to police, leading to arrest of the accused.

Nyasha Katurura prosecuted while Marshal Chitsanga represented Makomeke.