Ailing man axes wife, hangs self

AN ailing injiva axed his wife before killing himself after suspecting that she was cheating on him and wanted to poison him.

Sambulo Ndlovu (30) of Nembe Area, under Chief Magama in Tsholotsho, hanged himself after striking his wife, Mrs Nester Ndlovu (26), twice in the head and once on her back, leaving her for dead on Wednesday soon after midnight.

Villagers said Ndlovu was bedridden after being diagnosed with Tuberculosis soon after his return from South Africa last month.

They said he discovered some vegetable seed at his homestead and thought it was rat poison that his wife wanted to use to kill him.

The villagers said Ndlovu seemed possessed when he suddenly gathered strength to brutally attack his wife and thereafter committed suicide.
Mrs Ndlovu was rushed to Tsholotsho District Hospital where she was transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo.

Ndlovu's father, Headman Thomas Ndengwane Mpofu, said Ndlovu looked depressed in the days leading to the tragedy.

"My son accused his wife of wanting to poison him. I heard noises and screams pleading for help. I found my daughter-in-law in a pool of blood."

Headman Ndengwane said his son struck his wife twice in the head and once on her back before he fled from the scene.

"We thank God she managed to stumble outside her bedroom and shouted for help before collapsing.

"We called a neighbourhood watch committee member while we made efforts to rush her to hospital.

"We thereafter looked for Sambulo and found him hanging from a tree not more than 500 metres from our home," said the old man.

He said Ndlovu used a piece of wire to hang himself.

Headman Ndengwane said the couple had a troubled relationship.

"The couple was always fighting. Ndlovu was not permanently employed but would go to South Africa and do piece jobs.

"He returned home around mid August and was admitted for a week at Tsholotsho District Hospital where he was diagnosed with TB," he said.

Headman Ndengwane said before his death, his son had become withdrawn from friends, family and socially.

"Earlier this week, we sat down together and I took time to counsel him. I  advised him not to worry too much about his health or marital problems.

"When he returned from South Africa they fought over a man's jacket that he found his wife with. He always accused her of cheating," he said.
Sambulo's mother, Mrs Siphangisile Mpofu, said: "The two always fought but I never expected it to come to this. Last year, their fights became serious until our daughter-in-law attempted to commit suicide.

"I took them to the police and at one time I even engaged lawyers to counsel them. There wasn't much change until today when we now mourn one of them. We are not sure yet if the hospitalised one will make it but we pray for the best."

Matabeleland North acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Eglon Nkala  said investigations into the matter were in progress.
"I can confirm receiving the report involving attempted murder as well as sudden death by hanging by the same person.

"A man struck his wife with an axe before he hanged himself. However, I'm yet to receive full information on the matter and can't comment further," said Asst Insp Nkala.

Ward 22 Councillor Phumuza Dube urged youths to seek counselling when in problems.

"We have lost a once very confident and energetic youth. It's been a while since Sambulo withdrew himself from the community.

"A problem shared is a problem solved and this young man should have done better," he said.