A 35-year-old man has been fined US$200 for assaulting his wife during a domestic dispute, leaving her with minor injuries, a court has heard.
Tongai Chipwanya pleaded guilty to a charge of domestic violence when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Themba Chimiso on Thursday.
The court heard that Chipwanya was intoxicated when he committed the offence.
“According to the evidence before this court, you are in the habit of harassing your wife and beating her when you are drunk,” Chimiso said while delivering judgment.
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“The way you assaulted your wife was very demeaning. You knew she could not fight back. It is the duty of this court to protect vulnerable groups in our society, and women fall into that category. Women are not meant to be beaten; they must be loved and protected. You must love your wife.”
Chimiso sentenced Chipwanya to pay a US$200 fine or serve three months in prison if he failed to pay.
“This court will not give you time to pay, which means you will only be released after the payment has been made,” ruled Chimiso.
He also imposed a three-month prison sentence, wholly suspended for five years on condition that Chipwanya does not commit another offence involving domestic violence during that period.
Chipwanya apologised to the court and said he regretted his actions.
“Your Worship, I take full responsibility for my actions. I apologise for my conduct and I will not repeat this mistake. I do not know what came over me to assault my wife in that manner,” he said.
“I do drink alcohol, but it is not every time that I harass her when I am drunk.”
Prosecutor Samuel Mpofu told the court that on Tuesday at around 5pm, Chipwanya returned home intoxicated and accused his wife of infidelity.
An argument broke out, during which Chipwanya allegedly slapped his wife, strangled her, and pinned her forcefully onto a bed.
Although the complainant did not seek medical treatment, she reported the matter to the police, leading to Chipwanya’s arrest.
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