Hubby, girlfriend murder wife

A 28-year-old man from Vumbachikwe Mine in Gwanda allegedly teamed up with his girlfriend and severely assaulted his wife who later died in hospital.

Nkosana Dube (28), of Number J1 Vumbachikwe Mine Compound, was accusing his wife, Ms Jane Ngulube (39) of questioning why he had brought another woman to their home. Dube is employed by the mine.

Ms Ngulube died on Monday at Mtshabezi Mission Hospital, allegedly from injuries she sustained from the assault.

The incident comes at a time when police have expressed concern over the increasing number of cases of domestic violence.

Allegations are that on 11 June Dube arrived home with a girlfriend, Loveness Phiri (24) and spent the night with her in a room adjoining the one his wife was sleeping in.

Police confirmed the incident and said Dube and Phiri were now facing a charge of murder.

Police spokesperson for Matabeleland South Province Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe said when Ms Ngulube woke up in the morning, she found her husband sleeping with another woman in the adjoining room.

"At about 5am, Ms Ngulube woke up and found her husband with another woman. She queried why Dube had brought a girlfriend to their home," said Insp Dzirutwe.

He said this did not go down well with Dube who allegedly started assaulting his wife with fists and kicked her all over the body.

"As he assaulted her, Phiri joined in resulting in Ms Ngulube fleeing to an unknown destination," said Insp Dzirutwe.

The police spokesperson said Ms Ngulube, thinking that the matter had been settled, returned home at about 11am and found that the two lovebirds were still together in the house.

"The two started assaulting her again and Phiri picked an empty bottle, which she used to hit Ms Ngulube several times on the head while Dube was using fists and booted feet. Ms Ngulube fled from the scene and sought refuge at her brothers' place at the same mine compound but she was already severely injured and bleeding," said Insp Dzirutwe.

"Her brother took her to her rural home in Mtshabezi but her condition deteriorated until she was carried to Mtshabezi Mission Hospital where she later died on 18 June at about 3pm from the injuries."

A report was made to the police after Ms Ngulube's death leading to the arrest of Dube and Phiri.
Ms Ngulube's body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post-mortem and the two suspects are expected to appear in court.

Police warned members of the public against using violence to solve disputes.

"As police we want to urge people to desist from using violence when solving issues but seek professional advice from other people like traditional leaders and police community relations officers.

It is also important not to engage in extramarital affairs as they usually end tragically," said Insp Dzirutwe.

Cases of domestic violence are reportedly on the rise with police reporting that at least seven people were killed by their partners in separate incidents in 149 cases of domestic violence recorded countrywide last week.

The deaths were reportedly recorded in Bulawayo, Zhombe, Siabuwa, Murehwa, Seke, Mutoko and Bindura.

Police said of the 149 cases recorded, 143 were allegedly committed by men and the remainder by women.

A total of 124 cases of domestic violence were recorded early this month.

According to the 2010-11 Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency recently, 30 percent of women have experienced physical violence at some point since the age of 15.

Of these women, 18 percent experienced physical violence within the past 12 months.

It was also noted that 22 percent of women who have had sexual intercourse reported that their first experience was forced against their will.

The report further noted that 27 percent of the women interviewed in the survey reported that they have experienced sexual violence and in nine out of 10 cases, the act was perpetrated by current or former husband, a partner or boyfriend.