MPUMALANGA’S new Environmental Affairs MEC, Luckson Mathebula, has been charged with assault after allegedly beating his estranged wife with a large wooden curio. Mathebula was formally charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm by the auditor general on Monday and will appear in court next week. He allegedly beat Aletta Rose Mnisi on the face, head and back on May 29 last year. Mnisi was admitted to hospital after the alleged attack for treatment of a broken jaw, neck injuries and severe bruising. Mathebula was Mpumalanga’s safety and security MEC at the time of the alleged attack and dismissed the initial allegations as the ravings of a mentally disturbed woman.