Times Of Swaziland: HUSBAND HACKS TEXTILE WORKER

HUSBAND HACKS TEXTILE WORKER
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  BY ANDILE NSIBANDE on 11/02/2020 01:28:00


HLATIKHULU – What was meant to be a celebration for textile workers from a
firm in Nhlangano ended badly when one of them got her fingers hacked off,
allegedly by her husband.
FTM Garments in Nhlangano had reportedly organised an event to thank the
company’s workforce for their commitment last Saturday. The party was held at
a popular local hangout spot, where the workers enjoyed themselves to the point
of returning to their respective homesteads very late, with some even reporting
home on the following morning.
Aggressively
This was especially the case with a certain female textile worker who was
allegedly dropped off by friends on Sunday morning. This apparently did not
amuse her husband, who immediately became very angry and combative.
An argument broke out, which quickly escalated after the man had enquired why
his wife had not returned home on the previous day.
When he couldn’t get a satisfactory response, the man is said to have become
very angry.
Incensed, the man is alleged to have aggressively hit the woman repeatedly
before reaching out for a bush knife which he used to hack her several times all
over the body. The woman sustained serious injuries, mostly to the head and
limbs. Some of her fingers are also said to have been chopped off during the
vicious attack by the husband.
The incident took place shortly before 11am on Sunday, at Mathendele Location in
Nhlangano, where the woman shared a house with the husband. A neighbour who
heard the commotion swiftly moved in to separate the two. Following the
intervention by the male resident, the suspect reportedly fled the scene,
leaving behind the injured woman who was lying in a pool of blood. Following the
horrifying attack, an ambulance was called and the woman was whisked to the
Nhlangano Health Centre, where she received treatment before she was further
transferred to the Hlatikhulu Government Hospital due to the extent of the
injuries. According to information gathered from the health facility, the woman
had to undergo surgery. Interviewed health personnel considered the woman very
lucky to have survived the onslaught, allegedly by her husband.
Condition
She is said to have suffered several head injuries and fractures as well as deep
cuts to the arms and other parts of her upper body. The woman is currently
fighting for her life at the health facility, where her condition is being
closely monitored by doctors.
The incident is said to have left the woman’s workmates shocked. “This is
nothing short of barbaric. It is completely insane. One only gets to wonder if
there wasn’t there any other way the man could have addressed their
differences?” remarked one of the textile workers.
Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile
Vilakati acknowledged receiving a report about the incident. She further
confirmed that the suspect was still at large and that he was being sought by
detectives from the Nhlangano Police Station.
Vilakati also indicated that the suspect could be charged under the Sexual
Offences and Domestic Violence Act 15 of 2018 or possibly face an attempted
murder charge.