A 48-YEAR-OLD Chirumanzu woman, who struck her husband several times on the head with a log after he had assaulted her, will serve an effective one-year jail term after a High Court judge convicted her for negligently causing his death.
STEPHEN CHADENGA OWN CORRESPONDENT
Euphrasia Netsai Matsikinye of Mutema village in Chirumanzu could no longer tolerate her abusive husband Christopher Mhamhiwa’s behaviour after he had assaulted her and followed her to a neighbouring homestead and continued flogging her following a dispute over herding cattle, and she picked up a log and struck him on the head.
Mhamhiwa collapsed and efforts to apply first aid on him failed. He died on the way to hospital.
Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese who was sitting in the Gweru circuit, convicted Matsikinye of culpable homicide and sentenced her to three years in prison.
He, however, suspended two years after considering that although Matsikinye did not intend to cause the death of Mhamhiwa, she had acted negligently resulting in the death of her husband.
Prosecutor Tafadzwa Mpariwa told the court that on January 8, 2007, Matsikinye, her son Washington Mhamhiwa and two neighbours Clara Sinyoro and Helen Muraga, were on their way to a neighbouring farm for odd jobs.
The deceased stopped them and ordered Washington to return home and herd cattle.
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Matsikinye told Mhamhiwa that they had already made arrangements with a neighbour to look after their cattle.
The State said later in the evening, Mhamhiwa started assaulting his wife accusing her of disregarding his orders.
Matsikinye fled to the neighbouring homestead, but Mhamhiwa chased after her and continued whipping her.
Matsikinye is said to have picked up a log and struck Mhamhiwa several times on the head and he collapsed. He died on the way to hospital.