Chronicle Editor
MDUDUZI Moyo from the Sipepa area in Tsholotsho has been slapped with a 30-month jail sentence by a Tsholotsho provincial magistrate for an unprovoked vicious assault on his domestic worker, Ms Petronella Tshuma.
Moyo (35) from Manyika Line under Chief Mathuphula, will serve an effective 24 months after the magistrate, Mr Thomas Gurajena suspended six months of the sentence for five years on the condition that Moyo does not commit a similar offence within that period, as he would be likely to receive a custodial sentence without the option of a fine.
He appeared before magistrate Gurajena last Friday charged with assault as defined in Section 89 (1)(a)of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23).
According to State papers as presented by the prosecutor Ms Sheila Mpofu, on June 19 at about 4 PM, Ms Tshuma was at Moyo’s homestead doing her routine chores as a domestic worker. “The accused person called the complainant to his bedroom where he asked about how to enquire about balance on an Econet line, he claimed that he had forgotten how to do the inquiry. Accused person went on to allege that the complainant was belittling him and as such deserved to be beaten,” said Ms Mpofu.
She said Moyo then took his sjambok and advanced towards Ms Tshuma who took to her heels with Moyo in hot pursuit, eventually catching up with her where he took a piece of rope, tied her hands and went on to whip her several times with the sjambok all over the body.
After the severe assault, a now satisfied Moyo cut the rope on the hapless maid who had sustained lacerations and bruises all over the body as a result of the assault.
“A report was made at ZRP Sipepa and the complainant was referred to Tsholotsho hospital for medication,” said Ms Mpofu.
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