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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A Bulilima man severely assaulted his ex-girlfriend for spreading rumours that they were still lovers.

Mqondisi Sibanda, 25, of Fumabazhe Village in Tshitshi area assaulted Kelesto Ncube, 21, several times with a stick.

Ncube was rescued by passersby who heard her screaming for help.

Sibanda was convicted of assault charges by Plumtree magistrate Livard Philemon and sentenced to a suspended 12 months imprisonment.

Three months were suspended on condition that he does not within the period commit the same offence.

The remaining nine months were suspended on condition that Sibanda performs 315 hours of community service at Tshitshi Clinic.

Prosecuting, Elisha Mazorodze said Sibanda’s wife confronted Ncube about the alleged affair with her husband and Ncube confirmed that they were indeed lovers.

“On August 8 around 8AM Sibanda’s wife, Lumpi Sibanda, met Ncube at a borehole and confronted her about a relationship she was alleging to be having with her husband.

“Ncube confirmed that they were lovers. The two women went together to find Sibanda,’’ said Mazorodze.

He said Lumpi questioned her husband about the affair. The court heard that Sibanda, who had also heard the rumours, started accusing Ncube of gossiping.

Ncube, however, maintained that Sibanda was indeed her boyfriend.

Mazorodze said Ncube claimed she was not aware that Sibanda was no longer interested in her.

He said Sibanda picked up a stick and used it to beat Ncube several times all over the body.

Ncube sustained bruises as a result of the assault.

Mazorodze said passersby intervened and restrained Sibanda from further assaulting Ncube.

Ncube reported the matter to the police, leading to Sibanda’s immediate arrest.

In his defence Sibanda said the rumours which his ex-girlfriend was spreading were causing tension between him and his wife.

“The complainant was spreading rumours in our community that we were in love yet that was not true. We separated before I met my wife.

“These rumours had started causing tension between me and my wife,’’ said Sibanda.