Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

A young wife has been arrested for seriously burning her husband with boiling hot cooking oil followed by a pot of steaming porridge during a heated row over his wellies.

The incident took place at the couple’s home in the town of Redcliff in the central Zimbabwean province of Midlands at around 7pm on 28th August.

Esther Mugwanyi, 26, allegedly poured boiling hot cooking oil and porridge over her husband Benny Chamunorwa, 30, during the row over his wellington boots when he gave them to a young woman that turned up at his door.

Prosecutor Ethel Bhumure told the court that the unnamed woman went to the couple’s home about settling a previous debt.

Chamunorwa did not have the money to settle the debt, so he instead offered his wellington boots as payment which the woman accepted.

It was not revealed how much the debt was or what it was for, however, the man’s wife was appalled by the matter and confronted her husband.

A subsequent row resulted in Mugwanyi grabbing a pot on the stove and splashing the hot cooking oil in her husband’s face, according to iHarare News.

While the man was lying on the floor in agony, the wife reached for another pot, this time containing porridge, which she then poured over Chamunorwa’s body.

The victim’s screams were overheard by neighbours who rushed to the couple’s home.

He reportedly suffered serious burns to his face, neck, stomach, and hands.

Chamunorwa was taken to the Kwekwe General Hospital where he was treated and later discharged.

Meanwhile, Mugwanyi has been arrested and was arraigned before Kwekwe Magistrate Mrs Florence Nago on charges of domestic violence.

She has been remanded in custody until 21st September.

South African experts say there has been an increase in domestic violence cases in the country since the COVID-19 lockdown came into effect in March as victims can often find themselves constantly sharing the same living space as their abusers.

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