'Drunken master' beats wife to a pulp over infidelity

MATABELELAND SOUTH - A Gwanda man Trust Mahlangu, 30, allegedly ran amok and gave his wife a thorough beating accusing her of adultery before proceeding to tear his sister-in-law's Ordinary Level certificate for allegedly influencing his wife.

According to the State, on October 30, 2014, and at around 10PM, the accused arrived home from a beer drink and had a misunderstanding with his wife claiming that she was responsible  for the breakdown of his motor vehicle.

"The accused turned violent and  the complainant ran away to file a report of domestic violence at the police station," the State said.


Mahlangu allegedly followed her and she forgave him and they both returned home.

Ndlovu said at around 3AM Mahlangu started physically abusing the complainant, hitting her several times on the face with fists.

He said at around 5AM the accused started insulting the complainant's sister, Angela Mpofu, claiming that she was the one influencing his wife       to be adulterous.

The court heard that the accused tore Mpofu's O-Level certificate into tiny pieces.

Ndlovu said Mahlangu then left home for an unknown destination and only returned on Friday last week at around 3PM.

Mahlangu allegedly beat up his     wife again claiming that she  had  committed adultery once more..

Neighbours restrained Mahlangu from further assaulting his wife and made a report to the police leading to his arrest.

He appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Sheila Nazombe facing two counts of physical abuse and another count of malicious damage to property and was not asked to plead as his lawyer McAllister Ncube was yet  to be served with State papers.

Mahlangu was denied bail on condition that he lives with his wife and would interfere with state witnesses.

He was remanded in custody to Tuesday next week.