Tsholotsho – A chilling tale of family violence unfolded in the Tsholotsho Magistrates Court last week, as 42-year-old Meluleki Ncube stood accused of viciously assaulting his own 71-year-old mother. The incident, which left the elderly woman with injuries to her back, hand, and head, has become talk of the town in rural town, highlighting the grim reality of domestic violence that often goes unreported.
Ncube, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was ultimately sentenced to 24 months in prison. However, six months of the sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while the remaining 18 months were commuted to 630 hours of community service at Tshefunye Primary School.
The court heard that on March 20, 2022, Ncube’s mother was at her home in Tsholotsho with her daughter-in-law and a neighbour, Gracious Mpofu. Ncube arrived home with his brother Dumisani and two friends, Sibusiso Ndlovu and Godwin Ncube. The group then left for Tshefunye business centre, leaving Ncube’s mother behind.
Upon his return, Ncube accused his mother of deliberately causing discord between him and his brother Dumisani. He claimed that she had forced him to disembark from Dumisani’s vehicle, leading to a heated argument.
“He said his mother was the one who was fomenting hatred between him and his brother. He was clearly angry and agitated,” a source close to the family revealed.
The argument quickly escalated into a violent confrontation. Ncube, fueled by rage, slapped his mother repeatedly across the face. He then grabbed a wooden chair and struck her three times, only stopping when Mpofu intervened to protect the elderly woman.
“It was a horrific scene. The woman was helpless, she couldn’t defend herself against her own son. It’s a tragedy that a mother should have to endure such violence from her child,” the source said.
The assault left Ncube’s mother with visible injuries, including bruising and swelling to her back, hand, and head. The severity of the injuries, coupled with the fact that the victim was an elderly woman, led to the court’s decision to impose a custodial sentence.
While the sentence may provide some solace to the victim and her family, the incident serves as a reminder of the pervasive problem of domestic violence in Zimbabwe. The case also highlights the importance of seeking help and reporting such incidents to the authorities.
