Hubby clobbers wife over muti

A 32-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for 10 years for severely beating up his 38-year-old wife after he found her in possession of traditional medicine which he suspected she wanted to use on him.

Thomas Sibanda of Mazwaligwe area in Bulilima said he questioned Rosemary Dube on the purpose of the muti but did not get a satisfactory explanation.

Sibanda said he had, however, already learnt that the traditional medicine was for use on a man.

He was convicted on his own plea of guilty to physical abuse by Plumtree magistrate, Gideon Ruvetsa.

Ruvetsa ordered him to pay a $30 fine or spend 10 days in prison in case of default.

Sibanda started his 10 day jail sentence yesterday after indicating that he did not have the money to pay the fine.

"I got pissed off Your Worship because I found traditional medicine which my wife was going to use on me hidden in the house.

I have even brought it with me here.

"When I asked for an explanation about the muti she told me that it belonged to her sister who had left it in her custody for safe keeping.

However, I had already learnt that she was going to use it on me but I was not sure for what purpose and that is when I beat her up," said Sibanda.

Prosecuting, Rose Sibanda said Thomas slapped his wife several times prompting her to report the matter to the police.

"On 2 May Thomas had a misunderstanding with Dube after he found some traditional medicine in their house.

He confronted her over the matter and he went on to assault her several times on her jaw with an open palm," she said. In passing sentence Ruvetsa lashed out at Thomas.

"The fact that you found traditional medicine in the house did not qualify you to assault your wife.

Take the medicine back to her and if she says it is not hers then she will give it to the owner," he said.