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After separating with her husband, Mr Zibusiso Sibanda of Gwenyukwenyu village in Ntabazinduna, Nomathemba Mpofu reportedly connived with her brothers David (29), Marvelous (20), both from Khayisa Village in Ntabazinduna and cousin brother Givemore Sibanda (26) of Mavolona Village and went on to assault the complainant and his girlfriend.
They left the couple for dead.

Nomathemba, David, Marvelous and Sibanda,  who have been on $50 bail since January this year when they first appeared in court, were convicted by regional magistrate Mr Godwin Sengweni yesterday.
Although they pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder, they were all found guilty due to overwhelming evidence.

The two counts were however treated as one for the purposes of sentence. The four accused were sentenced to 24 months in prison of which 12 months were suspended for five years on condition they do not commit a similar offence within that period.
The remaining 12 months were suspended on condition they complete 1 680 hours of community service at Ntabazinduna Training Depot starting next week.

Sentencing the four, the magistrate said the offences they committed were brutal and potentially fatal.
He, however, said the motive behind the attack had watered down their blameworthiness.
The court said marriage disputes have always traumatised those involved especially women who have children like Nomathemba, which is why she arranged to attack her former husband.

The court also considered that they were  all first offenders who had acted out of provocation.
The State’s case was that on 13 January this year Nomathemba, David, Marvelous and Sibanda teamed up to go to Mr Zibusiso’s homestead with the intention of “disciplining” him.
They found him at home in one of the huts with his newly found girlfriend.

David was armed with an iron bar while Marvelous had a slasher.
The court heard that David struck Mr Zibusiso twice on the head using the iron bar while Marvelous held him by the arms.

Marvelous then went on to assault Mr Zibusiso five times on the back and on  fingers using the slasher. After seeing  that Mr Zibusiso was now helpless, the four then turned to the girlfriend whom they also assaulted all over the body with fists, slasher and iron bar.

Mr Zibusiso and his girlfriend sustained serious injuries on the head, had broken fingers and were swollen all over their bodies.
They were admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital where they stayed for some days before being discharged.
Mr Goodluck Katenaire prosecuted.