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Runesu Gwidi Herald Correspondent
A jealous Masvingo man has been slapped with 105 hours of community service by a Masvingo magistrate after he bashed his wife and severely injured her lower lip for allegedly having an extra-marital affair with a UK-based man. Tinashe Takuva (30) of Mucheke, pummelled his wife, Lydia Musara(39), after being incensed by a WhatsApp message sent to her by the UK-based man who was promising to secure her a job in the Diaspora.

Angered by the beating, Musara, who is employed as an administrative assistant at Masvingo General Hospital, tried to commit suicide by drowning herself in Mucheke River. Masvingo magistrate Mr Victor Mohamade convicted Takuva of domestic violence on his own plea of guilty when he appeared in court last Thursday.

Mr Mohamade had initially slapped him with 10 months imprisonment with hard labour before conditionally suspending four months. A further six months were suspended on condition that he completes 105 hours of community service at the Masvingo Regional Court complex. Prosecutor Mr Edmond Mapope said on November 2 this year, Musara, who was sitting in the lounge at her matrimonial house in Mucheke A, received a Whats App message from a male friend in the UK.

The UK-based friend was advising Musara to send him copies of her academic certificates so that he could secure a job for her. This did not go down well with Takuva, who accused his wife of having an affair with the UK-based friend. A scuffle ensued between the couple, resulting in Takuva trying to strangle his wife before flooring her. Musara sustained severe injuries on the lower lip as a result of the assault. In anger, she bolted out of the house towards the Mucheke footbridge, with Takuva in hot pursuit.

Passers-by and Takuva then managed to restrain Musara, who was threatening commit suicide by throwing herself from the footbridge into Mucheke River. Musara then proceeded to make a report at Chikato police station, leading to Takuva’s arrest.