Wife basher on the run

AN unrepentant wife basher has gone into hiding after allegedly severely assaulting his ex-wife for refusing to give him food.

Brighton Shoko, 32, of Mkhosana suburb in Victoria Falls, separated with Chipo Miti, 22, because he was always beating her up.

Shoko, who was recently convicted of physically abusing the same woman, had just completed unpaid work for the crime when he proceeded to where Miti now stays on the pretext that he wanted mealie-meal and sugar.

While he was there, the court heard, Shoko allegedly assaulted Miti after she told him she didn't have the food he needed.

Shoko was supposed to appear in court Wednesday to answer to a charge of physical abuse but defaulted prompting Victoria Falls magistrate Lindiwe Maphosa to issue a warrant of arrest against him.

Allegations levelled against Shoko are that on February 24, he went to Miti's home and ended up beating her.

"On January 24, the accused went to his ex-wife's place of residence and asked for mealie-meal and sugar. She told him she didn't have any and he forced his way into the house and locked the door," said the prosecutor.

It is alleged that Shoko started shouting at Miti, punched and slapped her. Miti was rescued by neighbours Angeline Chakabvapasi and Samukeliso Moyo who rushed to her house after hearing her screaming for help.

They found the door locked and saw Shoko assaulting Miti through a window.

Shoko allegedly refused to open the door and later escaped after the two neighbours persisted.

A report was made to the police leading to Shoko's arrest.