Bulawayo – A domestic dispute in Bulawayo's Mzilikazi suburb has taken a shocking turn, with a 28-year-old man accused of physically assaulting his 77-year-old "sugar daddy's" father. The incident has left the community reeling and raised questions about age-gap relationships and the potential for violence within families.
Milton Mpala appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Abdenico Ndebele facing physical abuse charges. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody, with the trial set to continue. The case has drawn significant attention due to the unusual dynamics of the relationships involved.
The court heard that Mpala is allegedly the boyfriend of Sithembile Mnguni, the 58-year-old daughter of the complainant, Peter Mnguni. Mpala frequently stays at Peter's house, where Sithembile also resides, creating a complex and potentially volatile living situation.
The prosecution alleges that on 25 January 2025, at approximately 0100 hours, Mpala forced his way into Peter's bedroom and assaulted him all over his body with an unknown object. The alleged attack came after Peter reprimanded Mpala for making noise, sparking a violent confrontation.
In his defence, Mpala presented a different version of events. He claimed that he found Peter and Sithembile engaged in an altercation and attempted to intervene, but they pushed him aside. "The complainant fought me, grabbed my clothes, and we wrestled, falling to the ground as we were both intoxicated," he told the court.
Mpala further claimed that he only slapped Peter with open hands to stop him from allegedly assaulting Sithembile. He even alleged that Sithembile encouraged him to assault her father during the fight, claiming she had sustained a black eye from him.
Adding another layer of complexity to the case, Mpala claimed that a family meeting was called after the incident, and he apologised for his actions. "They forgave me, knowing it was my first time exhibiting such behaviour," he said, suggesting that the matter had been resolved within the family.
However, Sithembile's testimony painted a different picture. She confirmed that Mpala was her boyfriend of two years and that on the day in question, they had attended a neighbour's funeral with her daughter. Upon returning home, she said her father told Mpala to leave the house, accusing him of causing trouble.
Tired, Sithembile went to sleep, leaving her daughter, son-in-law, father, and Mpala talking. "I heard noises and found Milton on top of my father, hitting him with his fists in his bedroom," she testified. "My daughter and son-in-law were trying to stop Mpala. He even pushed my son-in-law, who fell and was injured."
Sithembile further alleged that Mpala regularly assaulted her and damaged her clothing and that he was intoxicated on the day of the alleged offence. "I no longer love him; he is forcing the relationship," she fumed. "I have asked him why he doesn’t date women his own age."
Peter's testimony corroborated Sithembile's claims. He stated that Mpala frequently assaulted his daughter when drunk and damaged property. He said that on the day of the incident, he had reprimanded Mpala for damaging his daughter's clothes and threatened to inform his other children.
"Mpala used a stick to assault me on my eye and leg in my bedroom," Peter testified. "I now have vision problems. I request the court grant me a peace order against Mpala, as I no longer sleep peacefully at home."
The conflicting accounts of the incident have left the court to determine the truth amidst a web of accusations and counter-accusations. The case has also sparked debate within the community about the dynamics of age-gap relationships and the potential for exploitation and violence.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to Mpala’s arrest. As the trial continues, the court will need to weigh the evidence and determine whether Mpala is guilty of physical abuse, as alleged.
