Siyabonga Sayi
GWERU – People at the magistrates’ court in Gweru were stunned when a man who was found guilty of domestic violence begged the court to give him community service instead of setting him free.
Tongai Zireni (43) of Mkoba 2 was found guilty of domestic violence as defined in Section 3[1] as read with section 4[1] of the Domestic Violence Act Chapter 5:16.
Zireni, who did not have legal representation, stunned the court when he begged magistrate Judith Taruvinga for community service when his 5 months prison sentence was conditionally suspended in full.
The magistrate however rejected the request and explained to him the implication of community service in light of the fact that he had a family to take care of.
The court heard that on January 2 this year Zireni communicated to her wife via a text message to the phone of his wife’s niece stating that he wanted to commit suicide because he was suspecting his wife of cheating.
His wife’s niece went to talk to him and the two returned home in Mkoba 2 were a misunderstanding between Zireni and his wife Kupurai Vhengere over the cheating allegations arose.
The court heard that Zireni then assaulted his wife with open hands and feasts on the head and stomach.
A report to the police was made leading to the arrest of Zireni.
Christopher Chitambira prosecuted.local
