Woman loses three teeth after assault by hubby

Tendai Gukutikwa

FOR assaulting his minor wife who subsequently lost three teeth, a Mutare man will spend the next four months behind bars. Forget Chifamba (23) of ZIMTA Park pleaded guilty to contravening the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 5:16 when he appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura.He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, of which four months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence.

Chifamba will serve an effective four months in prison.

In passing the sentence, Mrs Chiundura said there was need for a harsh sentence since domestic violence and physical abuse offences were on the rise.

“You committed a very serious offence. Your wife lost three teeth that she will never recover. Instead of loving her, you are busy abusing her something that the law does not permit. Due to that, there is need for a stern sentence to warn you and other people out there who are abusing their spouses for no apparent reason,” she said.

Mr Fletcher Karombe represented the State.

Circumstances surrounding the matter were that on April 2, Chifamba assaulted his 15-year-old wife when he arrived home.

He clapped her several times on the face and forcefully pushed her against the wall.

He further punched her and she lost three teeth in the process.

Chifamba told the court that he had assaulted his wife out of anger since he had heard rumours that she was not looking after his three-year-old son.

“Your Worship, I had heard that she had been ill-treating my son and I wanted it to stop.

“I erred and ask for forgiveness,” he said.