Man spears wife to death

A 36-year old Nkayi villager, Jephias Mangisi, accused of fatally stabbing his wife with a spear last December over allegations of infidelity has filed a bail application at the High Court.

Mangisi has been in custody since his arrest on December 12 for allegedly killing his wife whose identity was not given in court papers.

In his application filed on January 29 at the Bulawayo High Court, Mangisi argued that he was ready to stand trial and would not abscond despite fears from the State. He denies the murder charge.

The State alleges that on December 11 last year, Mangisi stormed his in-laws' homestead in Sibangani village during the dead of the night and proceeded to the hut where his wife was sleeping.

He forcibly opened the door and struck her twice with a claw hammer on the lower side of the right ear and later drew a spear and stabbed her once on the lower part of the left breast, killing her instantly.

Earlier on, Mangisi had allegedly accused his father-in-law Stephen Runeta of allowing his daughter to see other men at his homestead.

In his bail application, Mangisi denied that he murdered his wife and accused his in-laws of fabricating the charge.

"The applicant denies ever striking the now-deceased with an axe and stabbing her with a spear," reads part of the application.

"The applicant further denies acting in the manner alleged or in any manner whatsoever leading to the now-deceased's death.

"The allegations are mere fabrication and it is against this background that applicant submits he is a proper candidate for bail."

The State has since opposed the application saying there was overwhelming evidence that Mangisi committed the offence and was highly likely to abscond or interfere with State witnesses if granted bail.