Couple arrested for stoning a neighbour

A MANDAVA high-density suburb couple in Zvishavane could face a long jail term if found guilty of attempted murder for allegedly stoning a neighbour in the early hours of Monday morning.

Lucia Phiri (23) and her young husband Edwin Siwela (21) appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Sengster Tavengwa yesterday facing an attempted murder charge.

Phiri and Siwela pleaded not guilty to the charge and stated that they had acted in self defence when they stoned their neighbour Kenneth Canaan.

They alleged that Canaan had attempted to rape Phiri who was urinating in front of their unfenced house as she was afraid of using the public toilet located about 100 metres away.

However, the State alleged that in the early hours of Monday morning, the couple jointly bashed Canaan - who has a pending house breaking case in the courts - and left him unconscious with severe head injuries.

The State said at around 2:40am, Canaan was walking along the road when Phiri spotted him and screamed thinking he would rape her.

Her husband Siwela responded to the screams and they attacked Canaan.

Siwela was said to have tripped Canaan to the ground and Phiri allegedly picked up a big stone and struck the man on the head with it.

Canaan sustained a deep cut and collapsed instantly.

He was later rushed to the Zvishavane District Hospital where he is currently battling for his life.

Phiri and Siwela were denied bail and remanded in custody to June 3.