Zimpapers Logo

Adelaide Moyo Chronicle Reporter
A 41-YEAR-OLD man from Victoria Falls allegedly beat up his wife and left her for dead. Isaac Banda bashed his wife Atalia Tshuma, 53, after accusing her of being a prostitute.

The two had been drinking beer at a night spot in the resort town last Saturday when Banda started accusing Tshuma of flirting and cheating on him with other men, a court was told.

Banda of Mkhosana suburb pleaded guilty to physical abuse when he appeared before Victoria Falls resident magistrate Lindiwe Maphosa last Thursday.

The magistrate jailed Banda for 30 days, effective, because he has previous convictions for beating up his wife.

In trying to buy his liberty, Banda, who has been sentenced thrice before for assaulting the same woman, initially said he was too drunk to remember what he did. “We were coming from the bar with my wife and I got angry when she told me I was irresponsible. She told me I was useless claiming I lived just to drink beer,” said Banda.

He begged for leniency.

Prosecuting, Takunda Ndovorwi told the court that Tshuma was rescued by some soldiers who took her to hospital.

“The accused was walking home at 11PM with his wife on December 5 near Sprayview Army Camp. He started accusing his wife of being a prostitute and she dismissed him as being drunk,” said Ndovorwi.

He said an argument ensued between the two resulting in Banda punching Tshuma repeatedly on the face. “He also kicked her in the stomach before picking up a log which he used to assault her all over the body,” said the prosecutor.

The court heard that Banda fled from the scene thinking that he had killed his wife.

He met some soldiers and asked them to go and check on her while confessing that he had beaten her.

The soldiers carried Tshuma to Victoria Falls District Hospital where a report was made to the police. Banda was arrested after two days.

In September last year, Banda was sentenced to three months in prison, which were wholly suspended for five years on condition he does not beat his wife within that period.