Sikhumbuzo Moyo
A 62-year-old wife survived death by a whisker after she was axed on the head by her former husband, a well-known Filabusi businessman, who was later given a community service sentence by the court for the attack.
Lewis Mangena (64), who runs a fleet of shops in Filabusi Business Centre, and also owns some trucks which he hires out, was accused of axing his wife.
He was ordered to perform undisclosed hours of community service at Knocknara Primary School in Filabusi.
Amid rumours that Mangena did not carry out the work himself, but hired someone to do the job, he told this publication that he had followed due processes and there was nothing amiss.
“I did work at the school.
It’s not correct that I didn’t follow the court order. I only stopped when this magistrate said my crime was supposed to attract a 25-year jail sentence. He then took all the papers. I never hired anyone to do the work for me, it’s not true,” he said.
Knocknara Primary School headmaster, Herbert Mpofu, who was the supervising authority said;
“I wouldn’t know if it was Mangena or not, but I can confirm that whoever came to the school did not finish the sentence and documentary evidence to that effect is there, this is all I can say for now as the matter is being investigated by authorities, it’s subjudice,” said Mpofu.
Lewis axed Peggy, his wife of 45 years and the matter was reported to the police leading to his arrest. The court ordered him to perform community service, which was to be completed over five months.
According to Peggy, who is still receiving medical attention, her husband attacked her after she asked him about his alleged love relationship with a tenant.
“He would go for three days without coming home and I would just keep quiet for the sake of peace but as it continued I decided to ask him, especially since he was no longer buying necessities at home.
I was alone at home one day and I heard him saying namuhla ngizabulala umuntu (today I will kill someone).
I decided to come out of the house only to bump into him brandishing an axe right at the door.
As I turned back he struck me on the head twice and I fell down,” she said.
She was to wake up after sometime when she sought help and was taken to hospital.
However, Lewis and the tenant denied that they were in a sexual relationship, claiming theirs was a professional relationship, that of a landlord and a tenant.
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