Inyathi Councillor Savagely Beaten by Ex-Wife and Her Family Over Fridge Feud
INYATHI – Councillor Abednico Maphosa was brutally beaten and left bleeding after refusing to hand over household property, including a fridge, to his ex-wife and her family during a heated dispute at a local business centre.
The confrontation escalated when Sikhanyiso Zulu (42), along with her relatives Lucky Zulu (31), Cabangani Zulu (44) and Isaac Sibanda (45), allegedly ambushed Maphosa as he exited his shop, demanding the items.
When he refused, they reportedly unleashed an assault, pelting him with stones before striking him with walking sticks.
“He was curled up, bleeding, and screaming for help. The blows kept coming. People had to rush in before they killed him,” a witness told B-Metro.
Local villagers intervened to stop the attack.
Maphosa later reported the incident to police, leading to the arrest of the four suspects.
The accused appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Joseph Mabeza last Tuesday and were remanded out of custody.
Their trial is scheduled for 29 May, where the court will hear full details of the assault.
According to B-Metro, residents expressed outrage over the violence, calling for peaceful resolutions to property disputes instead of resorting to brutality.
Maphosa is recovering but is struggling to walk due to injuries on his back, shoulders, and legs.
The fridge, at the centre of the dispute, remains in his possession as legal proceedings continue.
