The incident started after an argument sparked between Bhowansing Bisram,  41, no calling, and his wife Waheeda, 29. The husband repeatedly suspected that his wife was having an affair. He stormed out of the house and returned hours later just before the evening news. He saw that Waheeda had not prepared dinner and that she was drinking.

Still angry from the earlier heated exchanges he demanded that his wife tell him how she had got the drinks. He suspected that another man had given her the money and another fight erupted.

In the heat of the moment, in front of their children, he began punching and kicking Waheeda.

The commotion was so loud that Bhowansing's brother, Raj, who lives on the ground floor, came up to see what was happening. He was rudely told to mind his own business by Bhowansing, and therefore retreated.

The interruption did not deter Bhowansing, and he then grabbed hold of a mop handle and repeatedly battered the woman.

After a while, Bhowansing realised that Waheeda was dead. In a poor attempt to conceal the crime, he changed her clothes and cleaned the blood. Meanwhile, Raj, came upstairs once again and this time he had called the police and SAMU. Waheeda was declared dead at the scene by the medical staff.

According to neighbours, the Bisram couple regularly argued and they both took to alcohol. The children, aged between nine and four, are still ignorant of the fact that their  mother had passed away. Close relatives will ensure their care.