Samuel Dan
A 40-year-old woman, Sikhulekile Moyo has pleaded with a court to forgive her 39-year-old husband, Lucas Mhlanga, after he was fined $5,000 for assaulting her because she refused to sing at a funeral in Mzilikazi suburb, Zimbabwe.
Mhlanga was arraigned before Bulawayo Magistrate Mrs Nomagugu Maphosa on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to assault charges levelled against him.
It was learnt that Mhlanga and Moyo were returning home after attending a funeral in the same suburb on Sunday evening when he asked her why she was not singing at the funeral. He then proceeded to assault her.
Although Moyo did not sustain any injuries from the assault, she reported the matter to the police resulting and Mhlanga was arrested.
Before the case would be heard in court, she brought an affidavit to withdraw the matter, saying she had forgiven her husband because he had promised not to assault her again.
“I have forgiven my husband because he promised not to do it again and because he is the father of my only child who is a minor,” said Moyo.
Mhlanga who blamed alcohol for his actions pleaded for the court to be lenient and promised not to assault her again as he now knows it is a serious offence.
“I am sorry to my wife and to the Honourable court. I acted under the influence of alcohol and I did not know that punishing my wife is an offence. Now that I know, I shall never do it again,” said Mhlanga.
The magistrate Mrs Maphosa said the court considers the fact that the complainant had rendered an affidavit intending to withdraw the case and that she was the accused person’s wife and the couple has a child who is a minor.
Mrs Maphosa said sending Mhlanga to jail would disturb the child whose upkeep is based on the accused person’s earnings as he was the breadwinner. She ordered him to pay $5 000 by May 30 or spend 60 days in prison.
KanyiDaily had also reported how a woman collapsed and died on 10th day of 14-day fasting to get back her husband who left her 7 years ago in Lagos State.
