The First grade magistrate court in Mchinji on Friday September 23 convicted and sentenced a 34 year old woman Tereza Njirankhondo for torching her husband who suffered corneal burns after a hazardous chemical of acid was deliberately ejected on his face following a misunderstandings that erupted between the two.
The court heard through state prosecutor Sergeant Beatrice Kankhuni that the two who got married in 2002 and are blessed with five children are on separation since the husband has been accusing his wife of having extra marital affairs. Kankhuni also told the court that on September 12 2016 the wife went after her hubby Brighton Sosten (40) and got him at Masautso village in the district where she confiscated a bicycle and other household items.
This development fueled a fight of which in the process the wife hit the husband with a hammer on his back before pouring acid in his eyes. The medical report which the prosecutor tendered showed that the husband sustained a deep cut in the head, bruises on his back and suffered corneal burns.
Though the wife pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against her but due to the overwhelming evidence during her trial of the case the First Grade Magistrate His Worship Rodwell Major Phiri stated that the case was proved beyond reasonable doubts and the woman was found guilt of acts intended to cause grievous harm which is contrary to section 235 of the penal code.
While passing the sentence, his worship Rodwell Major Phiri said that cases of gander based violence within many families are on the increase hence the need for offenders to face proper justice so as to deter would be offenders. He later ordered the accused to remain in prison where she should serve a period of three years imprisonment with hard labour.
The convict Tereza Njirankhondo (34) hails from Mikonga 2 in the area of traditional authority Zulu in Mchinji.
