A 35-year-old woman from Tsholotsho has filed an appeal with the High Court after being sentenced to an effective 20 months in prison by Magistrate Lesigo Ngwenya for disciplining two teenage girls.
As reported by <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/mother-appeals-jail-term-for-disciplining-teenagers/">Chronicle</a>, Qiniso Ndlovu’s altercation with the girls, known for their disruptive behaviour and frequenting local bars, escalated when they allegedly used vulgar and provocative language. Angered by their conduct, Ndlovu reportedly struck them with a stick.
However, the trial revealed conflicting evidence. A medical report submitted to the court indicated that the girls sustained serious injuries, including near-broken limbs, allegedly caused by a pick handle, though the weapon was not produced as evidence.
In her appeal, Ndlovu, represented by Makiya and Partners, contends that the magistrate erred by failing to consider community service as a more appropriate punishment. Argued Ndlovu:
<blockquote>
The court “a quo” erred in passing a custodial sentence to the appellant despite her having pleaded to the charge and being a first offender.
The effective sentence of 20 months was so excessive as to induce a sense of shock for a first-time female offender who pleaded to the charge, where the sentencing guidelines provide for a non-custodial sentence in the form of a fine not exceeding Level 14.
</blockquote>
Ndlovu further argues that the court failed to adequately consider her mitigating circumstances.
As a widow, a single mother, and the sole provider for three young children, she contends that the custodial sentence has effectively separated her from her dependents.
In her appeal, Ndlovu implores the court to overturn the current sentence and remand the case to the lower court for a more appropriate and just sentencing.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

A woman from Tsholotsho was sent to jail for hitting two rowdy girls with a stick. The girls were hurt, but there was no proof of what weapon was used. The woman, who is a widow and mother of three, says the punishment is too harsh because she is a first-time offender. She wants the court to change the sentence to community service instead of jail time. Now she is appealing to the High Court for help.

Tsholotsho Woman Jailed 20 Months For "Disciplining" Rowdy Teenage Girls

A 34-year-old man from Nehosho, Gweru, was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment for assaulting his 35-year-old wife following an argument over changing television channels.
The man, whose name has not been disclosed, appeared before the Gweru Magistrates’ Court facing charges of malicious damage to property and physical abuse.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on December 11, 2024, the man became violent, damaging a 43-inch Samsung television with a brick and smashing a DSTV decoder against the wall during the argument.
In addition, he physically assaulted his wife, slapping her on the face several times, hitting her on the upper body with his fists, and kicking her with booted feet all over her body.
The incident was reported to the police, leading to his arrest. The damaged property was valued at US$295, and nothing was recovered.
The offender was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, with 3 months suspended for 5 years. An additional 2 months were suspended on the condition that he compensate for the damaged property worth US$295.
Furthermore, 5 months were suspended on the condition that he perform 315 hours of community service.
The NPA is urging the public to resolve disputes amicably and seek third-party mediation rather than resorting to violence.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A man from Gweru was put in jail for hitting his wife because they argued about the TV channels. He broke the TV and decoder during the fight. He also hurt his wife by hitting and kicking her. The man was arrested by the police and had to go to court. He was sentenced to 10 months in jail but some months were suspended if he paid for the damaged things and did community service. The National Prosecuting Authority wants people to solve problems without fighting.

Gweru Man Jailed For Assaulting Wife During TV Channel Dispute

A Filabusi couple allegedly chained up, tortured their maid (19) and poured boiling water on her genitals for allegedly stealing US$200.
On 31 January 2022, Thembelani Moyo (28) and Sibongile Mpofu (28) who stay at Vukuzenzele village in Filabusi and work at Senga Hill Mill Mine discovered that US$200 which they had kept in their wardrobe was missing.
The two allegedly assaulted their housemaid- who cannot be named for ethical reasons- but she denied seeing the money, let alone stealing it.
However, after she had been savagely beaten up, the maid confessed that she had stolen the money and had already spent US$169 and was left with US$31.
It is alleged that a neighbour, Simangaliso Moyo, arrived at the scene with a sjambok and whipped the chained teen.
Mpofu then allegedly boiled water which she poured onto the half-dead maid’s private parts, saying that was to stop her from having sex with any man.
After assaulting the maid, the couple reported her to the police for theft leading to her arrest.
The maid pleaded guilty to theft when she appeared before Filabusi magistrate Abednico Ndebele but also exposed the abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of her employers.
Moyo admitted that they had chained her to stop her from running away.
The magistrate ordered that the teenager must be examined by a State doctor and remanded her out of custody.
While she was out of custody, the maid reported the couple and Simangaliso to the police, for assaulting her and scalding her on her private parts with hot water.
A medical report detailing the extent of the injuries on the maid’s privates was availed in her second court appearance.
The maid was sentenced to six months in prison by magistrate Ndebele.
However, four months of the sentence were suspended for three years on condition that she does not commit an offence involving dishonesty.
The remaining two months were also suspended on condition that she restitutes the US$169.
The couple and their neighbour were arrested for assault and appeared before Filabusi magistrate Sukoluhle Belinda Nunu last Wednesday.
Magistrate Nunu remanded them out of custody on $40 000 bail each, to 3 February for trial. | <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/man-wife-gang-up-to-torture-thief-maid/">B-Metro</a>

Couple Chains, Scalds, And Sjamboks Thieving Housemaid

A 27-year-old man from Bulawayo was fined $30 000 for assaulting his wife as punishment for being greeted by another man while she was on her way to church.
The accused, Daniel Ncube from Njube suburb recently appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Shepherd Mjanja charged with physical abuse as defined in Section 3 (1) (a) as read with Section 4 of the Domestic Violence Act Chapter 5:16.
Ncube pleaded guilty to the charge and the magistrate ordered him to pay a fine of $30 000 or spend 60 days in prison.
Allegations were that on 25 November 2022 and at around 6 PM, Kwazinkosi Nkomazana (20) was on her way to church when she met her husband who was coming from the bar.
It was further alleged that when the couple met, Nkomazana was greeted by another man and that angered Ncube.
Nkomazana explained to her husband that there was nothing going on between her and the man but Ncube became violent and assaulted her with fists on the head.
She fled and sought refuge at a nearby house.
Ncube allegedly followed his wife and hit her again with fists and open hands several times all over her body.
The owner of the house then summoned members of the Neighborhood Watch Committee who came to apprehend Ncube.
They escorted him to ZRP Njube where a charge of physical abuse was filed against him. | <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/man-assaults-wife-for-being-greeted-by-another-man/">B-Metro</a>

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