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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A MANGWE man allegedly clobbered his girlfriend with a hammer and then drank a dipping chemical in a bid to kill himself after accusing her of bewitching him by making his manhood useless. Nkosiyazi Mhlanga, 26, of Danaway Irrigation Farm who is admitted at Plumtree District Hospital was remanded at his hospital bed to May 30 by Plumtree magistrate, Gideon Ruvetsa for an attempted murder charge.

Mhlanga reportedly pounded Universe Mlalazi, 22, several times with a claw hammer until she collapsed.  The complainant is admitted at United Bulawayo Hospitals.

Mhlanga alleged that his manhood was now only active when he was with his girlfriend and useless when he was with other women.

Prosecuting, Jane Phiri said Mhlanga attacked his girlfriend who also stays at the same irrigation farm on April 21.

She said Mhlanga proceeded to his girlfriend’s house and started accusing her of bewitching him by turning him into a “useless man”.

“Mhlanga then armed himself with a claw hammer   and clobbered his girlfriend several times on the head until she fainted.  She sustained severe head injuries and was rushed to hospital where she is reportedly still in a coma,” said Phiri.

She said neighbours who heard the complainant scream during the attack intervened and restrained him. Phiri said Mhlanga demanded to be released. She said Mhlanga said he had to punish the complainant as she had tortured him for a long time.

Phiri said Mhlanga claimed his manhood only became active when the complainant was around and only felt the urge to have sexual intercourse only with her.

She said a few hours later, before arrival of the police, Mhlanga consumed the chemical while at his homestead in a bid to end his life.

In an interview, Mhlanga’s mother Phathiwe Sibanda said her son had complained that his girlfriend had turned him into a useless man.

“The last time I went to visit him Nkosiyazi told me that he was no longer a man because his girlfriend had bewitched him. He said that he was now ashamed and afraid of other women but felt normal when he was with his girlfriend.

“I got to know the girl when she had a child by my son but they have never stayed together and they are not married. The child died last year,” she said.