Nkhata Bay court convicts man for wounding ex-wife

Nkhata Bay First Grade Magistrate’s Court last Thursday convicted 25-year-old Vutisani Banda for unlawfully wounding his ex-wife, Martha Zimba, and maliciously damaging her mobile phone.

Banda’s actions were contrary to Sections 241 and 344 of the Penal Code.

The court, through police prosecutor Danfold Otala, heard that the convict and Zimba divorced and have a child between them.

He told the court that on Christmas Day, the convict found his child alone at Zimba’s home not dressed, and when he asked about her whereabouts, he learnt that she had gone to dance Chilimika, a cultural dance among the Tonga performed by women and girls only, as part of Christmas festivities.

This did not please the convict and he followed his ex-wife, grabbed her and  assaulted her in front of the gathering.

Banda pleaded guilty to both charges of unlawful wounding and malicious damage.

First grade magistrate Billy Ngosi ordered Banda to pay K20 000 to Zimba or in default serve a six-month jail term.