A PATHOLOGIST who examined the remains of a Bulawayo woman
who died after giving birth concluded that the cause of death was due to
widespread bacterial infection emanating from the wounds inflicted during an
assault by her husband.
Ntandoyenkosi Sibanda (23), who was 39 weeks pregnant, was
forced to prematurely deliver the baby through a surgical incision due to the
assault.
She was allegedly fatally assaulted by her husband, Siphiwe
Ngwenya (26) of Nketa 6 suburb following a domestic feud over the paternity of
their unborn child.
Ngwenya accused his wife of cheating on him. He allegedly
slammed her against a wall several times, struck her with a stone on the head
before punching and kicking her on the stomach.
Dr Innocent Jekenya, a pathologist at Mpilo Central
Hospital, yesterday took to the witness stand and told the court that Sibanda’s
death was directly linked to the assault, allegedly at the hands of her
husband.
“The deceased had multiple injuries and the reason for
conducting the Caesarean section was because of the degree of the assault. She
was examined by several specialists because of the severe injuries on her
body,” said Dr Jekenya.
He said the infection emanated from the bacteria due to the
wounds.
“The deceased was of good immunity and she was HIV negative.
“The bacteria colonised the wounds and spread through the
body resulting in a widespread infection after the operation, infection that
subsequently led to heart failure,” said Dr Jekenya.
Doctors who examined Sibanda said she sustained severe head
injuries, deep lacerations on her left ear and swollen shoulders.
She also suffered injuries on the abdomen and chest and was
badly traumatised.
Ngwenya appeared before the Bulawayo High Court judge
Justice Nokuthula Moyo facing a murder
charge. The matter was postponed to August 4 for judgment.
Prosecuting, Mr Khumbulani Ndlovu said on November 17 last
year at around 11PM, Sibanda was at home asleep when her husband arrived from
work and woke her up.
Ngwenya confronted his wife and started shouting at her
accusing her of cheating on him. During the altercation, Ngwenya also accused
his wife of having been impregnated by her alleged boyfriend only identified as
Melusi.
“During the dispute, the accused person picked an electric
heater and struck the deceased twice on the head while holding a stone in the
other hand,” said Mr Ndlovu.
The court heard that Ngwenya dragged his wife to a
neighbour’s house. On arrival she screamed for help and the owner of the house
Ms Sibonisiwe Ndlovu opened the door and Ngwenya continued assaulting his wife
and shouting at her.
“The deceased tried to run into the house but her husband
caught up with her and continued to assault her on the face and head. Ms Ndlovu
tried to beg Ngwenya to stop assaulting Sibanda but he did not heed the plea,”
said Mr Ndlovu.
Ms Ndlovu called other occupants at the house and they
escorted Ngwenya and Sibanda out of their yard. Ngwenya continued the attack on
his wife during which he struck her once on the
head with a stone.
“The accused removed his leather belt from the waist and
assaulted the deceased several times and she bled through the nose.
“He then dragged her back to their home where he continued
to further assault her and kicked her once on the stomach,” said the
prosecutor.
“Ngwenya took out the deceased’s clothes and threw them at
her before continuing to assault her.” chronicle
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