By Panashe Divine Karidzagundi
A 44-year-old nurse who had been accused of attempting to kill his wife with a steel rod was acquitted by the court after his spouse defended him.
Awelani Ndou on Monday walked free after Magistrate Charity Maphosa threw away his charge of attempted murder of his wife, Talent Moyo at their Beitbridge District Hospital compound.
Prosecutor Mercy Nyathi alleged that on 18 February 2026, Ndou struck Moyo on the neck with a steel rod intending to kill her.
The incident was reported after a maid allegedly found Moyo lying on the floor in their bedroom and escorted her to the hospital.
Police later attended the hospital and found her unconscious with a swollen neck before she was transferred to a hospital in Bulawayo for further treatment.
During court proceedings, Moyo dismissed the allegations against her husband.
Testifying before the court, Moyo who is a teacher told the court that she had returned from work with a severe headache and later fainted while going to the bathroom.
“I had a headache and went to sleep. When I woke up to go to the bathroom, I felt dizzy, screamed and fell down. I later regained consciousness in hospital,” said Moyo.
Moyo also told the court that her husband did not assaulted her anyhow.
“He did not assault me anywhere . I do not have any injuries,” she said.
Ndou, in his defence, denied the allegations and insisted he had never attacked his wife, suggesting that the incident may have been related to her illness.
Following the testimony of the complainant, the magistrate ruled that the State did not prove any reasonable doubt beyond this case.
Ndou was subsequently found not guilty and acquitted of the attempted murder charge.