The Supreme Court of Zimbabwe has warned perpetrators of domestic abuse that they will no longer get away with light sentences for the crimes.
Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba said this when he dismissed an appeal by Tawona Michael Mhute (45) against his conviction and sentence for killing his wife Tatenda Angela in 2008. The deputy chief justice also criticised Mhute’s lawyer for filing an appeal saying that Mhute got off with a light sentence.
In dismissing the appeal with the consent of justices Marie-Anne Gowora and Tendai Uchena, justice Malaba said:
The lower court used its discretion considering the seriousness of the offence, otherwise, it should have been life imprisonment because the law provides for such type of offences. Domestic violence is a serious offence. We have said it again and again and again.
Domestic violence perpetrators need severe punishment. Day in, and day out women are being victimised and this message must be sent out loud and clear that domestic violence will never be tolerated.
More: News Day
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