Man douses wife with petrol, sets her alight

Gender based violence

BOTSWANA-BASED Zimbabwean man Josphat Nyoni (40) allegedly assaulted his wife and doused her with petrol before setting her alight.

A relative to the woman, who is currently in a critical condition at a Botswana hospital, told Southern Eye that the victim has been the subject of abuse at the hands of  Nyoni for a long time.

“She has been subject to abuse and living a difficult life because the accused always suspects her of something. Before the incident, she could not go to the shops or even visit the toilet because the husband would presume that she was having an affair,” said the relative on condition that she remained anonymous.

“Days before the incident, he took a cigarette and burnt the lower part of her eyes. One of the children confirmed they were present when he tortured their mother.”

Southern Eye is informed that Nyoni has since been arrested and the matter is pending before the courts.

Indications are that following the petrol incident, police told Nyoni not to visit his wife at the hospital.

The Botswana police officer-in-charge of investigations Sub-Inspector Opelo Mogotsi was not reachable until time of going to print.

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