Wife killer escapes doing time in jail

MBABANE – A 75-year-old man was convicted to five wholly suspended years for beating his wife to death.

Solomon Kufa Nkhambule of Lobamba was found guilty of culpable homicide, in that he killed his wife after a drinking spree in October 2005.

Nkhambule, who looked frail, was represented by Sabelo Bhembe. Thabiso Masina ap-peared for the crown and Justice Mbutfo Mamba presided over the case.
Nkhambule had gone on invitation to a Makhanya home for a traditional wedding at Manzimnyama at LaMgabhi, on the fateful day. They were treated to traditional beer.

Nkhambule allegedly instructed his wife to imbibe the traditional brew with other women.  
He revealed in a statement of agreed facts that he later noticed her involvement in intimate talks with another man and subsequently warned her and joined other women.
Nkhambule said he later saw his wife in the midst of other men, something that angered him and he left for home alone.  

Upon arrival he took out blankets and placed them outside for his wife to take and sleep elsewhere.
However, when she arrived home an altercation ensued and the deceased aimed an axe to the accused.
Nkhambule beat her up with a knob stick (sagila) and she got injured.
They then slept separately but in the same room. In the morning, he found her dead and a police pathologist’s medical report confirmed that she died out of multiple injuries.

Nkhambule was initially charged with murder, but he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of culpable homicide, to which the crown accepted.
He was arrested on October 3, 2005 and was released on bail after eight months.
“I have considered your age and that you had imbibed traditional brew. The fact that you phoned the police when you realised she had died, shows that you were apologetic,” Mamba said.

He further advised Nkhambule to send someone back home when he fails to stomach his partner’s unfaithfulness.
He also cautioned him not to commit a similar offence in the next three years of his suspended sentence.

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