A man of KaLanga turned violent after his wife caught him trying to smuggle out underwear belonging to his mistress.
This was revealed before the Siteki Magistrate’s Court, where Bonginkhosi Mkhwanazi (38) faced a charge of contravening the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act. Mkhwanazi is alleged to have unlawfully and physically abused his wife Celiwe Magagula by assaulting her with fists and open hands.
According to the charge sheet, the incident happened at the accused’s house at Ngomane where he is employed.
Mkhwanazi pleaded guilty. However, due to the seriousness of the crime, the Crown elected to lead witnesses to prove commission of the offence. When presenting her evidence, the complainant told the court that she was married to the accused for about eight years.
She stated that her husband stayed at his workplace at Ngomane while she remained at their marital home at KaLanga.
On the day of the incident, Magagula said she made an unannounced visit to her husband’s house at Ngomane, with the intention to discuss their financial issues. She stated that her husband had spent over a month without visiting home.
Upon her arrival, Magagula said she found another woman at the house. She said her husband was also present and sleeping. Magagula said the other woman left after her arrival.
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She stated that she proceeded with her purpose of visiting her husband and reported the financial problems they were facing at home. She added that her husband kept his focus on his phone throughout their discussion.
He is said to have eventually stood up and hastily picked something from the bed and stashed it into a black plastic before storming out of the house.
Out of curiosity, Magagula said she confronted her husband about what he was carrying in the plastic. She followed him as he walked out of the house. To her surprise, Magagula said she found the same woman standing outside. She said the woman disclosed that she had come to fetch her underwear which she had left earlier.
It turned out that the accused was attempting to smuggle out the underwear in the black plastic bag. An argument ensued between the couple, resulting in the assault. Magagula said she was eventually saved by another resident who intervened.
The matter, which was before Magistrate Thulani Dlamini, was adjourned and it returns to court on June 23.
The accused was granted bail fixed at E3 000.
