BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
A Tsholotsho man severely assaulted his cousin on two different occasions after he rejected his proposal to allow him to take over of his wife.
Khaliphile Ndlovu (34) from Gumgano Line said he wanted his cousin Bonisani Mhlanga (30) from Sindisa Line to let him take him marry his wife because he was in love with her.
After Moyo rejected his proposal, Ndlovu became violent and assaulted his cousin.
He appeared before Tsholotsho resident magistrate Victor Mpofu on Monday charged with assault.
Ndlovu pleaded guilty to the offence.
Prosecutor Asher Chindedza said on June 23 at around 10AM, Ndlovu approached Mhlanga (30) at Soluswe Primary School where he was doing community service and told him that he wanted them to talk about his wife.
Mhlanga refused to entertain his cousin’s request.
“The accused then hit him a wooden log and struck the complainant on the head once and went away,” Chindedza told the court.
“Again on June 24, at around 4PM, the accused person approached the complainant whilst he was standing with his wife and stated that the complainant must leave his wife so that he will become the accused’s second wife.
“As the argument ensued, the accused struck the complainant with fists on his face several times causing a cut on the head and injuries on the jawline.”
In his defence Ndlovu said he committed the crime because of lust.
Mpofu sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment of which nine months was suspended for three years on condition of good behaviour while the remainder of the sentence was converted to 315 hours of community service at Soluswe Primary School.