By Tanaka Mrewa
A BULAWAYO man who found his towel wet from what he suspected to be another man’s semen bashed his wife over infidelity allegations.
A court heard that the couple last had sex three months ago.
Richard Sithole (46) yesterday pleaded guilty to a physical abuse charge before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Steven Ndlovu.
The magistrate fined Sithole $100 or six months in jail.
Sithole said his wife, Martha Mutandaguta (38), told him that she no longer had feelings for him and wanted to find a boyfriend.
He said when he arrived home from work on Tuesday, his wife was on the phone calling the person at the other end “sweetie.”
“She was startled when she saw me. She threw my body towel that she was holding on the floor. I picked it up but realised that it was wet. I looked closely at it and saw that it contained some slimy white substance that was evidently semen” said Sithole.
He said he fought hard to remain calm.
“She went to take a bath. I instructed our maid to go and lock the gate. Immediately she rushed out of the bathroom and sent the maid to buy airtime. This was when I confronted her about my suspicions. She gave me vague answers. I lost my temper and hit her hard.”
Prosecuting, Mrs Sibekithemba Dube said on Tuesday, Sithole hit his naked wife who was coming from taking a bath causing her to sustain a swollen forehead and bruises on her back.
In passing judgment, Mr Ndlovu said violence is never a solution to problems.
“You should have tried engaging a third party to solve your problem. Anger should not be used as an excuse to commit an offence. You are lucky she wasn’t hurt badly otherwise you could have landed yourself in prison,” said Mr Ndlovu. The Chronicle
