Wife basher escapes jail term

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

A 29-year-old man from Gweru has escaped a four-month jail term after being convicted for beating his wife.

The man was arraigned before the Gweru Magistrates’ Court facing charges of physical abuse.

He was sentenced to four months in prison, which was wholly suspended for five years on the condition that he does not commit a similar crime during that period.

The court heard that on November 10 at around 6 am, the man told his wife (24) to pack her bags so that they could go to his rural home in Zvimba.

The complainant refused to pack her bags and told her husband that she wanted to collect her debts from her customers before leaving.

This did not go well with the man. He punched the complainant in the stomach, on her mouth and the back.

The complainant reported the matter to the police, leading to her husband’s arrest.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe has encouraged members of the public to desist from violence and to resolve their disputes amicably.