Lover clobbered for taking too long to open door

A Bulawayo man exploded in anger after his girlfriend delayed opening the door, leaving a trail of bruises and fear. Levy Ndlovu, 42, of Cowdray Park, was fined US$150 for assaulting his partner, strangling her, and pushing her against a wall in a violent outburst.

Ndlovu appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube on a charge of physical abuse. He pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay the fine by 16 January 2026, or serve two months in prison.

According to prosecutor Cathrine Kuzu, the incident occurred on the evening of 17 December around 7:45 PM. The complainant, Angela Ncube, 36, was asleep when Ndlovu arrived at the house and knocked on the door. When she eventually responded, Ndlovu, already enraged, launched a brutal attack. He punched her multiple times, pushed her against the wall, and strangled her, leaving Angela with a black eye and injuries requiring hospital attention.

Police were called to the scene, and Ndlovu was arrested shortly after. In court, he admitted to the charge. Magistrate Ncube warned that assaulting a partner over a minor delay is not a sign of love, but a criminal act, before imposing the US$150 fine.