By CHILA NAMAIKO –
A FARMER of Choma, Southern Province, was yesterday sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour by a magistrates’ court for assaulting his wife on suspicion that she infected him with a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Hamweene Siamanhwa, 49, of Kancenje Village in Chief Macha’s area, was charged with one count of assault.
In March this year, Siamanhwa beat up his wife, Mary Chiyabi, of the same village after discovering he had an STD upon confirmation by health officials at a local clinic. He was later treated.
Upon returning home, the man accused his wife of having infected him with the sexually transmitted infection and chased her from their matrimonial home.
The court heard that the man later followed his wife to her mother’s place where she was and brought her back home.
When the two returned to their matrimonial home, Siamanhwa demanded to sleep with his wife. When she refused, he beat her up.
The woman reported the matter to Macha police post, leading to the arrest of Siamanhwa who was later taken to court.
When the matter came up for plea before magistrate Mbololwa Mukela, Siamanhwa admitted the charge.
“Your honour, I admit to the charge. I beat her using a stick because I wanted to establish where the syphilis I had came from,” he said.
In mitigation, the man asked for leniency saying he was looking after nine children who would suffer if he was sent to jail.
Magistrate Mukela, however, said it was regrettable that Siamanhwa could beat up and assault his wife.