A 69-YEAR-OLD Gwanda man who assaulted his wife with a knobkerrie for denying him conjugal rights was yesterday ordered to perform 315 hours of community service when he appeared in the Gwanda Magistrates’ Court.
PERPETUAL PHIRI OWN CORRESPONDENT Elofu Ndlovu of Sinkugwe village pleaded guilty to physical abuse when he appeared before magistrate Sheila Nazombe and was sentenced to 15 months in prison. Six months were suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence within that period.
The remaining nine months were wholly suspended on condition he performs 315 hours of community service at Hillside Police Station in Bulawayo since he works in Burnside.
It was the State’s case that on March 10 this year at around 11am, Ndlovu confronted his wife Sibusisiwe Sithole (52) while she was preparing breakfast in the kitchen and started accusing her of being in love with another man.
A misunderstanding arose and Ndlovu assaulting Sithole all over her body with a knobkerrie.
Sithole sustained a swollen head, a cut above her right eye, a fractured arm and a swollen thigh as a result of the assault.
Ndlovu apologised for assaulting his wife saying he was prepared to sell one of his beasts so that she could get medical treatment.
“I only committed this offence because I was angry since my wife had been denying me my conjugal rights since December last year,” Ndlovu said.
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Nazombe told Ndlovu that he should love, respect and take care of his wife and learn to solve problems amicably.
“Cases of domestic violence are on the increase and courts have been advised to give deterrent sentences, so ordering you to pay a fine will be too lenient and a jail term will strain the relationship with your family, so community service will be appropriate for you,” he said.
