Farai Dziva | An elderly man from Gwanda, Bishop Sibanda, was arrested for attempting to kill his wife with an axe.

The man allegedly struck his 79-year-old wife with an axe leaving her with severe wounds for refusing to reconcile with him following their separation.

Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Stanford Mguni told a state run daily paper the incident occurred last Monday around 2PM in Zhokwe Village.

He said Sibanda (78) followed his wife Agnes Sibanda to her family’s homestead and tried to persuade her to return with him to their matrimonial home.

After she refused Sibanda struck her with an axe once on the head and hit her with the axe handle several times on her back.

“I can confirm that we are investigating an attempted murder case which occurred in Zhokwe Village under Guyu area.

Bishop Sibanda went to look for his wife Agnes Sibanda at her parents’ homestead where she was now staying following their separation,” Mguni told the daily paper.

“Sibanda requested his wife to return with him to their matrimonial home as they were still married but she refused.

Sibanda became agitated and armed himself with an axe which was nearby and struck his wife once on the head and hit her with the axe handle several times on her back. Mrs Sibanda screamed for help and neighbours came to her aid and they restrained Sibanda.”

Mguni said the matter was reported to the police who attended the scene leading to Sibanda’s arrest. He said Mrs Sibanda was taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital where she is currently admitted.