Man accused of trying to burn mother-in-law faints in the dock

Drama erupted in a Bulawayo court when a 44-year-old man accused of attempting to murder his mother-in-law collapsed while entering the courtroom.

Khuzani Ndlovu, of Nyamandlovu in Matabeleland North province, fell as he walked towards the dock.

Prison officers were forced to carry and lay him down in the hallway, prompting the magistrate to quickly adjourn proceedings.

After several tense minutes, Ndlovu recovered and was escorted back into the courtroom to face a charge of attempted murder.

Appearing before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mark Dzira, Ndlovu was not asked to plead and remanded in custody.

Prosecutor Siphiwe Mhlanga told the court that on October 22, Ndlovu travelled to Kenneth Moyo’s homestead in search of his estranged wife.

He allegedly banged on the door until his mother-in-law, Soneni Muringi, responded.

The court heard that when Muringi informed Ndlovu that his wife was visiting relatives, he flew into a rage. Ndlovu allegedly hurled insults at the elderly woman before locking the doors from the outside with an iron bar and setting her room on fire. Muringi’s screams for help alerted neighbours, who rushed to the scene and managed to break down the door just in time to save her.

A group of villagers gave chase, apprehended Ndlovu and handed him over to the police. Ndlovu has been remanded in custody to a later date pending trial. Source— B-Metro