Zambia: A 37-year-old housewife of Kapiri Mposhi District has been sentenced two years imprisonment with hard labour. The culprit, identified as Sabina Mulenga is a resident of Matilyo compound in Kapiri Mposhi.
She was found guilty of stabbing her husband with a knife after an argument.
The incident took place on December 17, 2023 around 23:30 hours. The victim had asked his wife why she had come home in a drunken state, leading to an argument.
Kapiri Mposhi magistrate, Mwila Malupande charged Sabina Mulenga with one count of unlawful wounding of her husband, George Ngoma aged 44, with a knife.
Mulenga readily admitted the charge of unlawful wounding when the matter came to court.
According to facts presented by the prosecution, on the material day around 20:00 hours, Mulenga went home drunk. When the husband tried to inquire where she had been, she started insulting him. At this point, the husband and victim, Ngoma ignored her.
However, around 23:30 hours, Ngoma woke up and the wife continued insulting him. At this time, the victim tried to confront her and she produced a knife and stabbed him on the left side of the chest.
Ngoma was only rescued by some neighbours who rushed him to Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital and apprehended Mulenga. Afterwards, the neighbours took her to the police where she was taken into custody.
Due to the seriousness of the stab wound, Ngoma was referred to Kabwe General Hospital where he underwent specialised medical treatment. The victim was discharged from the hospital after three days.
In mitigation, Mulenga asked the court to exercise lenience on her as she has a child with Ngoma and four children with another man from her first marriage who would suffer if given a custodial sentence.
But in her judgement magistrate Malupande observed that Mulenga is a violent woman. The magistrate claimed that she could have killed her husband had it not been for the neighbours. Malupande appreciated the neighbours who rushed to his rescue and got him early medical treatment.
Magistrate Malupande said in order to deter offenders, the court had to mete out a custodial sentence on her and sentenced Mulenga to 24 months imprisonment with hard labour.