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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu Plumtree Correspondent—
A MAN from Mangwe allegedly struck his girlfriend’s three-year-old son to death with an iron rod in an attack that left the six months pregnant woman battling for her life following accusations that she was cheating with another man. Ms Nontokozo Ndlovu is battling for life in the intensive care unit at the Bulawayo United Hospitals following the attack that claimed the life of her son, Mqondisi Mpofu.

The incident happened last Thursday at about 7PM. Costa Maphosa (34) allegedly first attacked Ms Ndlovu and her son with stones at her workplace at Fantasy Mine in Mayobodo, Mangwe District.

He then allegedly obtained an iron rod and force marched them to a bushy area where he repeatedly attacked both with the weapon, leading to the boy’s death. Maphosa, from Matobo, yesterday appeared before Plumtree magistrate, Mr Livard Philemon, facing murder and attempted murder charges.

He was remanded in custody to August 15. Prosecuting, Mrs Rose Sibanda said Ms Ndlovu was admitted to the United Bulawayo Hospitals Intensive Care Unit where she was battling for her life.

“Maphosa proceeded to Ms Ndlovu’s work place on 28 July around 7PM where he found her with her three-year-old son. He started accusing her of having an affair with another man and a misunderstanding arose between them.

“Maphosa started pelting his girlfriend, who is six months pregnant, with stones and also struck her with an iron mortar on the head. He went on to attack the three-year-old boy with stones,’’ she said.

Mrs Sibanda said Maphosa then force marched mother and son to a bushy area while armed with an iron rod. She said Maphosa ordered them to lie on the ground and struck both with the weapon several times until they lost consciousness.

Mrs Sibanda said the following morning, a passerby found Ms Ndlovu lying unconscious while her son was already dead. She said the matter was reported to the police resulting in Maphosa’s arrest — @DubeMatutu.