ACTING Chief Tshugulu of Nkayi has been fined $100 for assaulting his wife, Thembelihle Mpofu, with a rope accusing her of infecting him with a sexually transmitted infection.
BY SILAS NKALA
Bulawayo magistrate Merylin Mutshina ordered Chief Tshugulu, real name Walter Sibanda, to stop abusing his wife.
The traditional leader had told the court in mitigation that he felt provoked when he discovered that his wife had infected him.
“She brought the sexually transmitted infection (STI) into my home, so when I asked her about it, I was just angered by her responses and assaulted her,” Sibanda said.
The magistrate blasted the traditional leader for failing to lead by example.
“You are acting chief and you go on to commit such a violation,” Mutshina charged.
“What example do you set for your subjects? Do you mean to tell this court that you cannot restrain yourself?
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“Your actions do not set a good example of a responsible chief. You should be apologising to your wife first.”
Sibanda said he earns $140 per month, prompting Mutshina to order him to pay $100 fine with an option of a three-month jail term.
She sentenced him to an additional three months which were wholly suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
Prosecutor Kudakwashe Jaravaza told the court that on December 17 2014 at 5pm, Sibanda was with his wife at their homestead when he started accusing her of having an extramarital affair with one Mxolisi Hlatshwayo.
He questioned her about the issue and accused her of infecting him with an STI which he claimed she got from Hlatshwayo.
When Mpofu professed ignorance about the affair and STI, Sibanda assaulted her with a rope and she sustained injuries all over her body.
She sought treatment from a local health facility and a report was made to the police, leading to Sibanda’s arrest.
