Woman acquitted of bashing her hubby, bursts into song

A BULAWAYO woman left a court in stitches when she broke into song and dance after being acquitted of bashing her husband.

Sabelo Sibanda, 44, appeared before magistrate Batanai Tuwe facing physical abuse charges for allegedly assaulting her husband, Gershom Sibanda, 49. Sabelo pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody during the trial.

She looked listless and resigned to her fate as magistrate Tuwe delivered his verdict. "This appears more of a civil matter that you intend to solve in a criminal court. The court finds the charge based on malice and revenge," Tuwe said."You're therefore free to go."

It took moments for the words to sink in. Sabelo became animated and jumped up and down in the dock. "Thank you my God! I thought I was going to be sent to Mlondolozi (women's prison)," shouted an ecstatic Sabelo, waving her hands in the air.

The gallery burst into laughter as she danced out of the courtroom, singing.