Abusive ex-policeman hammers wife to death

A woman granted a protection order against her abusive ex-cop husband was dead seven days later when he pounded her with a hammer in a fight over his mistress, a daily paper reported today.

According to Chronicle reports, the wife identified as Sambulo Mkandla had sought a protection order against her husband  Dubilizwe  Mkandla  a week ago accusing her of being abusive and having multiple extra marital affairs.

"She was granted the order and left Dubilizwe, a former police inspector to stay with her parents. However, he continued to visit her at her parents' homestead resulting in altercation with her father Taron Ndlovu who demanded a cow as payment for his disrespect," reported the Chronicle today.

However, on September 27 at around 9AM Sambulo went to Dubilizwe's homestead to collect her belongings. A misunderstanding ensued after Dubilizwe tried to stop Sambulo from leaving."

Sambulo allegedly accused her husband of allowing his girlfriend to terrorise her, alleging that she had been assaulted by her on several occasions at Dubilizwe's instigation, narrated the source.

"In a fit of rage he picked up a hammer and struck her on the head several times until her head was reduced to pulp and she lay lifeless in a pool of blood.

"He then used his jacket to cover her face which was now flattened and unrecognisable, before fleeing the scene.  He used excessive force. He then proceeded to his mother's homestead where he told her what he had done before she reported the matter leading to his arrest later that evening," said another police source.

Dubilizwe is expected to appear in court on today.

Matabeleland North Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Siphiwe Makonese could not be reached for comment as her mobile phone went unanswered.