News / National
Murdered man's family cause mayhem in court
08 Jan 2014 at 07:37hrs | Views
A COUTROOM erupted in chaos on Tuesday after the family of a man knifed to death by his wife sparred with a magistrate.
Simbarashe Denhere's mother wept uncontrollably in the public gallery, while his other relatives coarsely clicked tongues and walked out of the courtroom in protest over a decision by a Bulawayo magistrate to further remand his ex-wife, Elizabeth Mbulayi, 26.
The drama unfolded soon after Western Commonage provincial resident magistrate Willard Maphios Moyo announced that Mbulayi was to be remanded in custody to January 21 pending trial at the High Court.
Mbulayi, of Nketa 9 suburb, allegedly knifed her husband to death over a long-standing domestic feud.
Moyo's decision drew the ire of Denhere's relatives as they quickly stood up and clicked their tongues in a fit of rage and walked out of a packed courtroom.
In a moment of high drama, the furious magistrate ordered the court orderly to bring Denhere's rowdy relatives back to court.
He reprimanded them: "You don't come here to court and behave in such a manner. You must respect the courts or else I'll have you locked up for contempt of court."
One of Denhere's relatives shot back: "Your Worship, we want this evil woman who killed our brother to be sentenced now. Elizabeth has caused great pain to us as a family. Furthermore, we also demand that her boyfriend be arrested and brought to court for conniving with her."
Moyo was unmoved, telling the group: "This issue is now in the hands of the justice system which effectively means that you must allow the entire process to take its course. You don't have the right to behave like this in court."
Denhere's relatives later regrouped in the courtyard and started shouting obscenities as they vented their anger.
"This prostitute will face music together with her boyfriend and we'll definitely leave no stone unturned. She should be taught a lesson and I'm even prepared to go to jail," shouted one female relative.
Prosecuting, Kingston Mkanganwi told the court that on Boxing Day last year, Mbulayi and Denhere left their home at about 8AM for Old Pumula where Denhere intended to have his company car repaired.
The court was told that soon after leaving their car with the mechanic, the couple proceeded to a local beer garden for a drink.
"During the drink, an altercation ensued between Mbulayi and Denhere with the latter accusing his wife of dating other men," said Mkanganwi.
The court heard that later at around 1PM, the couple went home during which the dispute escalated. Mbulayi grabbed a knife and plunged it in Denhere's chest.
After the murder, Mbulayi notified one Munyaradzi Gwezuva who assisted her take Denhere to Nketa Business Centre to arrange for an ambulance to ferry him to hospital, the court heard.
Denhere died before the arrival of the ambulance.
Simbarashe Denhere's mother wept uncontrollably in the public gallery, while his other relatives coarsely clicked tongues and walked out of the courtroom in protest over a decision by a Bulawayo magistrate to further remand his ex-wife, Elizabeth Mbulayi, 26.
The drama unfolded soon after Western Commonage provincial resident magistrate Willard Maphios Moyo announced that Mbulayi was to be remanded in custody to January 21 pending trial at the High Court.
Mbulayi, of Nketa 9 suburb, allegedly knifed her husband to death over a long-standing domestic feud.
Moyo's decision drew the ire of Denhere's relatives as they quickly stood up and clicked their tongues in a fit of rage and walked out of a packed courtroom.
In a moment of high drama, the furious magistrate ordered the court orderly to bring Denhere's rowdy relatives back to court.
He reprimanded them: "You don't come here to court and behave in such a manner. You must respect the courts or else I'll have you locked up for contempt of court."
One of Denhere's relatives shot back: "Your Worship, we want this evil woman who killed our brother to be sentenced now. Elizabeth has caused great pain to us as a family. Furthermore, we also demand that her boyfriend be arrested and brought to court for conniving with her."
Denhere's relatives later regrouped in the courtyard and started shouting obscenities as they vented their anger.
"This prostitute will face music together with her boyfriend and we'll definitely leave no stone unturned. She should be taught a lesson and I'm even prepared to go to jail," shouted one female relative.
Prosecuting, Kingston Mkanganwi told the court that on Boxing Day last year, Mbulayi and Denhere left their home at about 8AM for Old Pumula where Denhere intended to have his company car repaired.
The court was told that soon after leaving their car with the mechanic, the couple proceeded to a local beer garden for a drink.
"During the drink, an altercation ensued between Mbulayi and Denhere with the latter accusing his wife of dating other men," said Mkanganwi.
The court heard that later at around 1PM, the couple went home during which the dispute escalated. Mbulayi grabbed a knife and plunged it in Denhere's chest.
After the murder, Mbulayi notified one Munyaradzi Gwezuva who assisted her take Denhere to Nketa Business Centre to arrange for an ambulance to ferry him to hospital, the court heard.
Denhere died before the arrival of the ambulance.
Source - Chronicle
