A 23-year-old woman from Sizinda suburb in Bulawayo has been accused of kidnapping and robbing her husband’s 17-year-old lover.
Amanda Ngwenya appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza facing two charges of robbery and kidnapping. She pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded out of custody to 15 August, B-Metro has reported.
The incident unfolded on 31 May 2024, when Ngwenya who was driven by jealousy, allegedly lured the victim to Bellevue Shopping Centre under the guise of a discussion about her relationship with Ngwenya’s husband.
The teenage victim recounted the harrowing ordeal during the trial and revealed that Ngwenya was accompanied by her aunt when she threatened her.
“I got a call from Ngwenya and she asked me to meet her up at Belleview Shopping Centre. When I got there, she snatched my cellphone and asked me if I was her husband’s girlfriend, I denied the allegations because I am not in a relationship with her husband. She assaulted me, grabbed my hair, threatened to beat and kill me stating that she was not afraid of anyone. She detained me in her house in Sizinda until the following morning,” she said.
According to the state’s allegations, Ngwenya questioned the victim about the nature of their relationship with her husband. As they were talking, Ngwenya grabbed the victim’s cellphone and demanded that she goes to Emganwini suburb. When the victim refused, Ngwenya forcefully dragged her and bashed her with slaps and fists.
Upon reaching Emganwini, they encountered Ngwenya’s brother who intervened and urged her to release the victim. However, Ngwenya persisted and took the victim to her house in Sizinda, where she was held captive until the following morning.
The victim was eventually released and reported the incident to her sister, who then alerted the police. Ngwenya was subsequently arrested.
This case highlights the dangers of unchecked jealousy and the devastating consequences it can have. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing personal issues in a healthy and constructive manner. The court will now determine Ngwenya’s fate, with the next hearing scheduled for 15 August.
