MARTIN MAWAYA
MVUMA-A 28-year-old Mvuma woman consumed with jealousy poured boiling cooking oil on her husband after she found a suspicious number in his cellphone.
Nyasha Chiwenga escaped a custodial sentence after being ordered to perform 630 hours of community service for scalding her husband with hot cooking oil.
Nyasha Chiwenga, a mother of two, was initially sentenced to 36 months imprisonment for attempted murder.
Twelve months were suspended for five years, while the remaining 24 months were wholly suspended on condition that she completes 630 hours of community service at Domboramwari Primary School in Mvuma.
Chiwenga had pleaded not guilty but was convicted following a full trial before Gweru regional magistrate Sibongile Marondedze.
The court heard that the incident occurred in the early hours of January 8, 2026, at Village 4A, Manyora, after a domestic dispute sparked by a woman’s contact found on the husband’s cellphone.
Prosecutor Monica Mungwena told the court that Chiwenga confronted her husband, Abel Ndazawani, before going outside and returning with boiling cooking oil, which she poured on his face, head, chest and right arm, inflicting severe burns.
Ndazawani was rushed to Chivhu General Hospital by neighbors, where he received treatment.
In her defence, Chiwenga said she acted in anger, alleging that her husband had infected her with HIV and AIDS.
The allegation was disputed by Ndazawani during the trial.
In passing sentence, Magistrate Marondedze said the court had taken into account that Chiwenga was a first offender and the mother of two young children aged two and four.
The court noted that at the time of sentencing, the accused was not aware of the whereabouts of one of the children.
While sparing Chiwenga a prison term, the magistrate emphasised that the offence was serious and potentially fatal, underscoring the continuing prevalence of domestic violence cases in the country.
