MWENSE woman received six months sentence for assault her husband

In a recent ruling, the Magistrates Court in Mwense District has sentenced a 39-year-old woman from Nakabeka Village, part of Chief Lubunda’s Chiefdom, to six months in prison for assaulting her husband during a domestic dispute.

Florence Chota appeared before Magistrate Fred Mwangala, where she admitted to the charge of Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm, as outlined in Section 248 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

The events unfolded on April 6, 2025, when Chota struck her husband, Augustine Kabila, with a stick, hitting him in the right eye during a contentious argument at her home. Kabila had come to collect their two children, ages 12 and 9, to help with maize harvesting. Chota, married to Kabila for 19 years as his first wife, opposed the visit, claiming that Kabila had neglected the family to live with his second wife and only returned when he needed assistance.

Additionally, Chota accused Kabila of physically punishing their 9-year-old son for not wanting to go to the fields, which led her to intervene. She expressed concern that Kabila frequently exploited the children for labor, reaping the benefits for his second wife.

In his testimony, Kabila acknowledged his polygamous relationship and confirmed he sustained a deep cut to his right ear from the incident.

During the sentencing phase, Chota pleaded for a lenient sentence, arguing that she and her son had also faced physical abuse. She spoke of unsuccessful efforts for reconciliation with Kabila, noting that he had yet to return to live with her and only visited when he required help from the children.

In his judgment, Magistrate Mwangala denounced the use of violence, highlighting the importance of peaceful and lawful resolutions to marital disputes. He remarked that domestic violence is a grave issue that can lead to severe consequences, including loss of life.

GroundTruth Zambia | May 12, 2025.