News / National
In-laws assault woman over land
12 Mar 2013 at 17:29hrs | Views
A Chirumanzu woman was assaulted by her husband's parents following an argument over a piece of land, a Gweru magistrate has heard.
Elias Killian Masendeke (66) and his wife, Margret Chipangura (56) from Masendeke Village under headman Chaka, assaulted their daughter-in-law, Ms Pauline Mangwiro (27) after they found her tilling on the plot in dispute.
Gweru magistrate, Ms Sithembiso Ncube, heard this during the trial of Masendeke and Chipangura last Friday. The two pleaded not guilty to the charge of domestic violence.
However, Ms Ncube found Masendeke and Chipangura guilty and fined them $100 each or 60 days in prison. A further 30 days were wholly suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
For the State, Ms Yeukai Mugumba said on 23 October last year at 6.45am Ms Mangwiro woke up and went to her field to till in preparation to plant maize before the rains.
Ms Mugumba said while in the field, Ms Mangwiro was approached by her mother-in-law Chipangura.
She said Chipangura told Ms Mangwiro to stop ploughing the field because it did not belong to her but her son, Mr Solomon Masendeke.
Ms Mangwiro ignored her mother-in-law and continued working in the field. Chipangura then snatched the hoe from Ms Mangwiro and began punching her daughter-in-law on the face and head, the court heard.
Ms Mugumba told the court that while Chipangura was beating Ms Mangwiro, she also accused her of bewitching their son.
She said Masendeke got to the field and joined his wife in attacking Ms Mangwiro.
The court heard that Masendeke asked Ms Mangwiro if she could afford paying $2 for the monthly land tax that they paid to the village head.
When Ms Mangwiro replied that she did not have the money for tax, Masendeke also punched her.
Ms Mugumba said Ms Mangwiro managed to flee from the wrath of her in-laws and ran home where she locked herself in her kitchen.
She hid in the kitchen until her in-laws went back to their homestead.
Ms Mangwiro reported the matter at Charandura Police Station leading to the arrest of Masendeke and Chipangura.
Elias Killian Masendeke (66) and his wife, Margret Chipangura (56) from Masendeke Village under headman Chaka, assaulted their daughter-in-law, Ms Pauline Mangwiro (27) after they found her tilling on the plot in dispute.
Gweru magistrate, Ms Sithembiso Ncube, heard this during the trial of Masendeke and Chipangura last Friday. The two pleaded not guilty to the charge of domestic violence.
However, Ms Ncube found Masendeke and Chipangura guilty and fined them $100 each or 60 days in prison. A further 30 days were wholly suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
For the State, Ms Yeukai Mugumba said on 23 October last year at 6.45am Ms Mangwiro woke up and went to her field to till in preparation to plant maize before the rains.
Ms Mugumba said while in the field, Ms Mangwiro was approached by her mother-in-law Chipangura.
She said Chipangura told Ms Mangwiro to stop ploughing the field because it did not belong to her but her son, Mr Solomon Masendeke.
Ms Mangwiro ignored her mother-in-law and continued working in the field. Chipangura then snatched the hoe from Ms Mangwiro and began punching her daughter-in-law on the face and head, the court heard.
Ms Mugumba told the court that while Chipangura was beating Ms Mangwiro, she also accused her of bewitching their son.
She said Masendeke got to the field and joined his wife in attacking Ms Mangwiro.
The court heard that Masendeke asked Ms Mangwiro if she could afford paying $2 for the monthly land tax that they paid to the village head.
When Ms Mangwiro replied that she did not have the money for tax, Masendeke also punched her.
Ms Mugumba said Ms Mangwiro managed to flee from the wrath of her in-laws and ran home where she locked herself in her kitchen.
She hid in the kitchen until her in-laws went back to their homestead.
Ms Mangwiro reported the matter at Charandura Police Station leading to the arrest of Masendeke and Chipangura.
Source - TC
