Couple in brutal attack on husband's girlfriend

A PLUMTREE primary school teacher and his wife have been sentenced to 15 years in prison following a violent attack on the husband's 21-year-old girlfriend, during which the victim was stabbed, stripped and sexually assaulted.

Sikhumbuzo Ncube (45), a teacher at Matiwaza Primary School, and his wife, Priscilla Ncube (42), were convicted of assault and aggravated indecent assault after a disturbing incident that occurred on October 28, 2026.

The couple appeared before Plumtree magistrate Dambudzo Malunga on Tuesday, November 10, where they were each sentenced to one year in prison for assault and 15 years for aggravated indecent assault.

The sentences will run concurrently, meaning the couple will serve an effective 15-year prison term.

According to court documents, the incident occurred at approximately 6pm when Priscilla confronted the 21-year-old woman after finding her in the company of her husband.

The confrontation quickly turned violent when Priscilla attacked the young woman, prompting her to attempt to escape.

However, the victim fell while fleeing and was caught by Sikhumbuzo, who prevented her from getting away.

The court heard that the couple tied the woman's hands and legs before dragging her into a nearby bush, where she was subjected to further violence and humiliation.

Priscilla produced a kitchen knife, which she used to cut off the victim's knotless braids before stabbing her once in the head.

She also threatened to kill the young woman during the assault.

The court was told that Priscilla subsequently rubbed chillies into the victim's right eye before using the knife to cut off her clothes, including her underwear and bra.

Sikhumbuzo allegedly assisted his wife by using his cellphone to illuminate the scene as the attack continued.

The violence escalated into sexual assault when Priscilla threatened to stab the victim in her private parts before forcibly inserting chillies into her vagina.

The court heard that she also used her fingers to push the chillies further inside, subjecting the victim to severe pain and humiliation.

The victim's identity has been withheld to protect her privacy.

Following the ordeal, the matter was reported to Plumtree Police, resulting in the arrest of the couple.

The young woman was referred to Plumtree District Hospital, where she received medical attention for injuries sustained during the attack.

The prosecution presented evidence detailing the couple's involvement in the assault, leading to their conviction on both charges.

Magistrate Malunga imposed a one-year prison sentence for assault and a 15-year sentence for aggravated indecent assault, ordering that the two sentences run concurrently.

The case was prosecuted by Sheila Nyathi.

The conviction brings to a close a criminal case arising from an attack that left a young woman subjected to serious physical violence and sexual abuse.

The case also highlights the severe criminal consequences of intimate-partner-related violence, particularly where jealousy and personal disputes escalate into assault and sexual violence.