Luckmore Matambanadzo, a 29-year-old man from Kachere Farm compound, has been sentenced to six months imprisonment for physically assaulting his 53-year-old mother, Theresa Chimunda, over a packet of rice. He appeared before Concession magistrate Joshua Nembaware and pleaded guilty to one count of physical abuse as defined in Section 3 (1) (a) as read with Section 4 (1) of the Domestic Violence Act.
Matambanadzo was sentenced to six months imprisonment, of which three months were suspended for a period of five years on the condition that he does not commit any offence of physical abuse during that period. The remaining three months were also suspended on the condition that he completes 105 hours of community service at Dandamera Primary School.
Prosecuting attorney, Precious Khanye, told the court that Matambanadzo arrived home from a beer drink on April 6 around 1am and proceeded to his mother’s bedroom, demanding a packet of rice to cook. When his mother refused, he forcibly opened her bedroom door and started assaulting her with a stick, causing injuries all over her body. Chimunda reported the matter to the police, leading to Matambanadzo’s arrest.
In mitigation, Matambanadzo pleaded with the court to spare him a custodial sentence, saying he was drunk when he committed the offence. However, the court found him guilty and sentenced him accordingly.
