By Silas Nkala BULAWAYO — A 29-year-old Makokoba man was last week sentenced to 175 hours of community service for assaulting his wife after she failed to prepare bathing water for him when he arrived from a beer drink. Mehluli Ncube pleaded guilty to assault charges when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Sherperd Mnjanja. He was convicted and sentenced to nine months in jail, four of which were suspended for three years on condition of good behaviour. The remaining five months were suspended on condition he performed 175 hours of community service.
The court heard that on July 8 this year, Ncube left his wife Fundani Khoza (23), who was complaining over his failure to take care of their baby while she was bathing. Ncube was going out for a beer.
When Ncube came back, he asked Khoza to prepare bathing water for him. The wife said she could not do so as she was minding the baby.
This did not go down well with Ncube, who assaulted her with fists and kicked her all over the body. Khoza sustained a swollen right eye and was referred to a hospital for treatment.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to Ncube’s arrest.
