adminMashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
BULAWAYO businessman and well-known Highlanders Football Club member Cornelius Ngwazani whipped his wife with a leather belt in front of their children for questioning him about his alleged extra-marital affair, a court heard yesterday. Western Commonage magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso was told that on the morning of 15 November, Ngwazani, an active participant during Highlanders Annual General Meetings and other public fora of House Number 458 Emganwini, flew into a rage and assaulted his wife, Celani, with a leather belt all over the body for questioning him about his alleged relationship with another woman.
Prosecuting, Miss Ruvimbo Chanduru, told the court that on 15 November at about 6am, Mrs Ngwazani, who is a teacher at a primary school in Emganwini, confronted her husband over an alleged relationship he was having with another woman.
The court was told that Mr Ngwazani got angry, pulled his wife into their bedroom and started to assault her with his leather belt.
The woman stormed out of the bedroom and fled with the husband in hot pursuit.
Mr Ngwazani caught up with his wife and continued to assault her as their children watched helplessly.
“Mr Ngwazani also accused his wife of confronting his alleged girlfriend and shouted at her as well as ordering the woman to end the illicit affair with her husband,” said Miss Chanduru.
According to a medical report, Mrs Ngwazani sustained bruises on her back, thighs, shoulders and face following the assault. She was taken to hospital for treatment.
In her statement, Mrs Ngwazani told the court that she intercepted a message which her husband had mistakenly sent to her mobile phone.
The message was directed to the man’s alleged girlfriend.
Mr Chimiso convicted Mr Ngwazani on his own plea of guilty to physical abuse charges.
He sentenced him to six months in jail of which three months were conditionally suspended for five years.
The remaining three months were further suspended on condition that Mr Ngwazani completes 105 hours of community service at Ingutsheni Central Hospital starting today.
In sentencing Mr Ngwazani, the magistrate said: “You demeaned your wife by assaulting her with a belt right in front of your children and for that you deserve a custodial sentence.
“However, since you are a first offender you will do community service. Cases of physical abuse are on the rise and I hope such a sentence will serve as a deterrent for like-minded people.”
Online Reporter