Vongai Masuka

A 43-year-old woman from Makokoba suburb has escaped a custodial sentence after being convicted of stabbing her husband with a kitchen knife following a heated dispute over school fees.

Francina Nyathi appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr. Challenge Mahembe facing charges of physical abuse under the Domestic Violence Act.

Magistrate Mahembe sentenced Nyathi to 24 months in prison.
However, six months were suspended for five years on the condition of good behavior.

The remaining 18 months were wholly suspended on the condition that she performs 630 hours of community service at Mzilikazi Police Station, to be completed within 18 weeks.

The court heard that on November 30 last year, Nyathi and her husband, Fayila Chimwoyo, were at their residence when an argument broke out regarding the payment of their child’s school fees.

Prosecutor Josephine Gurazhira told the court that the confrontation turned violent when Nyathi picked up a brick and struck Chimwoyo twice on the back.

She then armed herself with a kitchen knife, stabbing him once on the left wrist and twice near his right eye.
Chimwoyo sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a local hospital for emergency treatment.

The matter was then reported to the police, leading to Nyathi’s arrest.

Nyathi is expected to begin her community service immediately.