Man hangs self over wife's 'infidelity'

A 31-YEAR-OLD Lupane man allegedly hanged himself in the presence of his wife after suspecting that she was bedding another man.

Nqobile Mpofu tried to strangle his wife, Viola Mpofu, 23, but failed as she escaped to a nearby bush.  He then took the same rope he had intended to use on his wife and hanged himself as Viola watched from a distance.

Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Siphiwe Makonese yesterday said the incident occurred in Ngcono Village under Chief Mabikwa.

"A 31-year-old man from Ngcono village was found hanging from a tree on Thursday last week after he accused his wife of infidelity. It is believed that he questioned her over rumours of her extra-marital affair and she denied the allegations.

"Nqobile Mpofu then took a rope and tried strangling his wife Viola Mpofu. He however failed as the wife managed to free herself and escaped and stood a few metres away from him," said Asst Insp Makonese.

"The wife screamed and rushed to notify other villagers and when they got to the scene he was dead.  A police report was made and Lupane police attended the scene. No foul play is suspected," added Asst Insp Makonese.

The police spokesperson bemoaned soaring domestic cases of this nature and urged members of the public to engage third parties in resolving their issues.