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Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
A HIGH Court judge has ordered that a man who allegedly fatally axed a suspected prostitute in Bulawayo’s Montrose suburb before burying her body in a shallow grave, be examined by two doctors to ascertain his mental status.

Charles Ndlovu (38) of Insuza allegedly struck Nqobile Tshuma (36) of Makokoba suburb twice on the back of the head with an axe after the two had an altercation over an undisclosed issue.

The woman died on the spot.

Ndlovu and Tshuma met at a nightclub in Makokoba and agreed to spend the night together.

Ndlovu’s trial was scheduled to kick off on Friday before Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese.

Justice Makonese, however, ruled that Ndlovu should be taken to Mlondolozi Mental Health Institution following an application by his lawyer Mr Prince Butshe- Dube of Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers.

Mr Dube said his client exhibited signs of mental illness while he was interviewing him.

He also told the court that Ndlovu’s family had a history of mental illness.

“The accused person gave incoherent responses while I was interviewing him. There is a history of mental illness in Ndlovu’s family with two of his siblings allegedly suffering from mental illness.

“I humbly make this application that the accused person be referred to a mental health institution for examination by two doctors in terms of the Mental Health Act,” said the lawyer.

Justice Makonese said the application was merited and ordered Ndlovu to be taken to Mlondolozi for examination.

“We have looked into the circumstances under which the murder was allegedly committed by the accused person. It appears the application has merit and it is therefore appropriate that the accused person be examined by two psychiatrists in terms of the Mental Health Act.

“Accordingly, the accused person is referred to Mlondolozi Mental Health Institution so that doctors can inquire into his mental status,” ruled the judge.

Ndlovu is facing a murder charge in connection with the death of Tshuma in December 2017.

According to papers before the court, it is alleged that on December 25, 2017, Ndlovu went to MaDlodlo Beer Garden in Makokoba and hired Tshuma who was a cigarette vendor and a lady of the night.

The two went to a house in Montrose where they intended to spend the night together.

Ndlovu, a part time caretaker, had been left in charge of Mr Sebele Mthelisi’s house in Montrose.

In the middle of the night, Ndlovu and Tshuma had a misunderstanding over an undisclosed issue.

Ndlovu allegedly picked an axe and struck Tshuma twice on the left side of the back of her head and she fell on the floor and died.

Soon after allegedly committing the offence, Ndlovu buried the body in a shallow grave at the backyard of the house.

The crime came to light when dogs dug up the corpse and feasted on it.

A report was made to the police leading to Ndlovu’s arrest.

According to post mortem results, Tshuma’s death was due to head injury, depressed skull fracture and assault.

— @mashnets