Nineteen-year-old GBV victim comes to court in bandages

AT a time when the world is observing 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a Bulawayo teenage mother of a one-year-old baby appeared in court in bandages yesterday after allegedly being brutally assaulted by her ex-husband.

Nicholas Jamu (30) of Makokoba suburb in Kusile Flats appeared in court facing charges of physical abuse after he allegedly mercilessly attacked Ms Primrose Sibanda (19) with fists, a flower vase and a broken bottle multiple times all over her body.

Ms Sibanda sustained serious injuries. Appearing in court with her one-year-old baby and mother, Ms Sibanda attempted to drop the charges against her ex-husband but failed as the court insisted that cases of GBV against the vulnerable were a serious matter.

Bulawayo magistrate, Mr Maxwell Ncube remanded Jamu in custody to December 18 with an option of US$150 bail.

Prosecuting, Ms Hazel Siphiwe Sithole told the court that the incident occurred on Monday at around 10pm when Jamu punched his ex-wife on the nose.

“He proceeded to hit the victim with a flower vase and a broken bottle multiple times on the body,” said Ms Sithole. The reason behind the assault was not stated in the court papers.

As the global campaign against GBV continues up to next week Tuesday, the Government has said women are the major victims and condemned perpetrators of child marriages.

The Government has said it remains committed to ending GBV in all its forms, and efforts are being made to ensure that prevention and response services are available throughout the country to aid victims.