News / Local
SA woman awaits deportation from Zimbabwe
18 Aug 2015 at 10:02hrs | Views
A SOUTH African woman who was living in Zimbabwe illegally is awaiting deportation after she was arrested when she reported her abusive husband to the police.
Siphokazi Nxazonke, 31, who has been living in the country illegally, was struck on the head twice with a coffee mug by her husband Lodumo Maphosa of Pumula North suburb.
Maphosa, 31, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Sibongile Msipa Marondedze facing a physical abuse charge.
The court was shocked when Nxazonke, who wanted to withdraw the charge, appeared in court clad in prison regalia.
"Why is she dressed in green (prisoner's uniform)?" asked magistrate Msipa Marondedze while pointing to Nxazonke.
Prison officers explained to the magistrate that she was an illegal immigrant and was detained at Mlondolozi Prison awaiting deportation.
When she took to the witness stand, Nxazonke withdrew the matter against her husband saying there was no-one looking after their children.
"I want to withdraw the charges because there is no one to look after our two minor children since I'm now in jail. His mother, who usually looks after the children, isn't feeling well," she said.
The matter was withdrawn before plea.
Maphosa told the court that his wife illegally entered Zimbabwe and the two started staying together.
Magistrate Msipa Marondedze advised Maphosa to put his house in order.
"Get married, and get a marriage certificate so that you can apply for her permanent residence. Right now you're as good as boyfriend and girlfriend," said the magistrate.
Prosecuting, Maria John said on July 31, Nxazonke asked Maphosa when she was going to see their two children who were staying with his mother in Gwanda.
"A misunderstanding arose over the issue which led to Maphosa grabbing a coffee mug and using it to strike Nxazonke twice on the head," said John.
Nxazonke reported the abuse to the police, leading to Maphosa's arrest. The woman was also arrested for staying in the country illegally.
Siphokazi Nxazonke, 31, who has been living in the country illegally, was struck on the head twice with a coffee mug by her husband Lodumo Maphosa of Pumula North suburb.
Maphosa, 31, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Sibongile Msipa Marondedze facing a physical abuse charge.
The court was shocked when Nxazonke, who wanted to withdraw the charge, appeared in court clad in prison regalia.
"Why is she dressed in green (prisoner's uniform)?" asked magistrate Msipa Marondedze while pointing to Nxazonke.
Prison officers explained to the magistrate that she was an illegal immigrant and was detained at Mlondolozi Prison awaiting deportation.
When she took to the witness stand, Nxazonke withdrew the matter against her husband saying there was no-one looking after their children.
"I want to withdraw the charges because there is no one to look after our two minor children since I'm now in jail. His mother, who usually looks after the children, isn't feeling well," she said.
The matter was withdrawn before plea.
Maphosa told the court that his wife illegally entered Zimbabwe and the two started staying together.
Magistrate Msipa Marondedze advised Maphosa to put his house in order.
"Get married, and get a marriage certificate so that you can apply for her permanent residence. Right now you're as good as boyfriend and girlfriend," said the magistrate.
Prosecuting, Maria John said on July 31, Nxazonke asked Maphosa when she was going to see their two children who were staying with his mother in Gwanda.
"A misunderstanding arose over the issue which led to Maphosa grabbing a coffee mug and using it to strike Nxazonke twice on the head," said John.
Nxazonke reported the abuse to the police, leading to Maphosa's arrest. The woman was also arrested for staying in the country illegally.
Source - chronicle
