A fight over cabbages ended in tragedy when a 75-year-old man died after being physically assaulted, allegedly by his wife (85).
The elderly woman is said to have struck her husband, Amos Vilakati, with a stick on his right leg and left arm. The injuries were so severe that he was rushed to Matsanjeni Health Centre, where he succumbed on Monday night while undergoing treatment.
According to sources, the dispute began when Vilakati refused to give his wife two cabbages he had picked from a garden reportedly belonging to her.
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It was further revealed that the elderly couple had long-standing differences and were living in separate houses within their homestead at Somntongo in the Shiselweni region. Each reportedly prepared meals separately.
On Monday, Vilakati allegedly entered the garden and picked three cabbages. When his wife asked for two, he dismissed her, sparking a heated exchange.
During the altercation, the woman allegedly grabbed his walking stick and used it to beat him on the feet and arm.
At the time of the incident, the couple was alone as one of their children, who also lives with them, was away.
Police confirmed the incident. Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, said an 85-year-old woman of Somntongo had been arrested and charged with murder. She is expected to appear in court today.
Related Case
This tragedy comes barely two months after another elderly woman, Gogo Zincane Esther Msibi (73) of Phophonyane in the Lubombo region, allegedly hacked her 45-year-old lover, Thembinkosi Buthelezi, to death.
The fatal fight was reportedly sparked by a phone call Buthelezi received, which Msibi assumed was from another lover. Driven by jealousy, she allegedly attacked him with a knobkerrie and later an axe, leaving him with severe injuries. His body was later discovered four days after the incident.
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