Rudo Muchedzi
MASHAVA – A 47-year-old Chivi man will languish behind bars for one month after he was convicted last Friday for bashing his wife accusing her of pledging her niece to another man despite the fact that her husband wanted to marry the niece himself.
It was the State’s case that Shepherd Kaza, residing at Ngongoma village under Chief Madamombe, assaulted his wife, Shamiso Hove (45), with a fist on her forehead accusing her of pledging her niece, Elina Mlilo (19), to another man.
The incident happened on September 14, 2016 at around 06: 00 hours in the same village.
Kaza was charged for contravening the Domestic Violence Act Chapter 5.16 which prohibits physical abuse.
The accused person pleaded guilty to the allegations levelled against him before presiding magistrate Bishard Chineka.
Magistrate Chineka said the accused person acted unlawfully and emphasised that domestic violence is a serious offence that attracts a jail sentence.
Asked why he had assaulted his wife, Kaza told the court that the act was a result of anger, claiming he had wanted to marry the niece himself.
‘Your worship I did this out of anger because I wanted to marry the niece. May you forgive me because I have a family to look after,” said Kaza.
In his ruling Mr. Chineka considered that the accused did not waste the court’s time and was the first offender.
The complainant sustained some injuries but was not medically examined.
Angeline Mujakachi was representing the state.news
