By Sukoluhle Ndlovu
A 43-year-old church elder from Bulawayo’s Nkulumane 5 suburb has been accused of brutally murdering his wife with an axe during a violent early-morning family dispute that also left their children injured.
Ackim Bongani Dube appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Sikhethile Moyo on Saturday facing a murder charge over the death of his wife, Memory Makathini.
Dube was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to 7 August. He was also advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
The court heard that the incident occurred on 24 July at around 1am after Dube and Makathini allegedly had a quarrel over an undisclosed issue.
Prosecutor Tafara Dzimbanhete told the court that the dispute turned violent, with Dube allegedly attacking his wife with an axe.
“Dube allegedly struck his wife twice on the head, leaving the weapon stuck in her skull,” Dzimbanhete told the court.
The situation allegedly escalated further when Dube attacked the couple’s children with a metal rod, forcing them to flee to a neighbour’s house.
The court also heard that Dube allegedly ordered his 15-year-old son to smash windows and doors at the family home.
Police were called to the scene and arrested Dube, while the injured children were rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital, where they were admitted for treatment.
The alleged attack has left the family mourning the loss of their mother while the children recover from their injuries.
Dube is expected to return to court on 7 August.
