Woman strikes mother-in-law (80) with a stick over relish

A GWANDA woman has been arrested for striking her 80-year-old mother-in-law with her walking stick during a dispute over relish.

Phumulani Ncube (33) of Guyu under Chief Marupi, on Monday appeared before Gwanda magistrate Mr Arafat Kozanai to answer to a charge of assaulting her mother-in-law, Mrs Cingeni Nkomo.

Ncube pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody to today.

The State alleges that on 17 October at about 6pm, the complainant, Mrs Nkomo called her son, Mr Onias Nkomo, who is the accused's husband and advised him that his wife had given her isitshwala without relish.

During the conversation, it is alleged that Ncube stood at the door.

She allegedly started insulting Mrs Nkomo and later went to the kitchen hut.

After finishing the conversation with her son, Mrs Nkomo followed her daughter-in-law to the kitchen and asked her why she had developed bad habits of insulting her.

Ncube allegedly snatched Mrs Nkomo's walking stick and used it to hit her once on the head and threw it away afterwards.

She allegedly left her aged mother-in-law lying helpless on the ground.

Mrs Nkomo sustained a deep cut on the head.

The matter was reported to the police leading to Ncube's arrest.

Mrs Nkomo was referred to Manama Hospital for medical examination.

Mr Alexander Moyo is representing the State.