Man assaults wife over freezit

Amanda Ncube, Sunday News Reporter
A 30-YEAR-OLD man from Njube suburb in Bulawayo assaulted his wife for putting freezits in their neighbour’s refrigerator without his permission.

Patson Nkiwane pleaded guilty when he appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube last week facing a physical abuse charge. Nkiwane has been married to Ms Nobuhle Ncube for three years.

In passing sentence Mr Ncube said the court will be lenient towards Nkiwane because he admitted his crime.

“The court will exercise leniency on you because you admitted the charges and did not waste the court’s time. As a first offender, you will be given the option of a fine. You are therefore sentenced to pay a fine of $50 or alternatively spend 20 days in prison,” he said.

Prosecutor, Mr Mufaro Mageza said Nkiwane assaulted his wife, Ms Ncube after she had gone to collect some freezits she had kept at a neighbour’s refrigerator without his permission.

It was the State’s case that Nkiwane does not have a refrigerator at his home so his wife would keep perishables at a neighbour’s fridge.

The court heard that on 15 February, Ms Ncube went to fetch the freezits to sell, from their neighbour without her husband’s permission. Nkiwane got angry and assaulted her.

The court heard that Ms Ncube sustained a swollen mouth, bruised eye and loose tooth.

She did not seek medical attention, but made a report to the police, leading to her husband’s arrest.