man kills wife

THE High Court has sentenced a-65-year-old farmer to eight years imprisonment with hard labour for killing his wife, whom he had lived with for 20 years, after a domestic dispute

This is in case Charles Hampekema, who is also a builder, of Chisekesi, Chabota section, Monze, is charged with manslaughter.

On April, 22, this year in Monze, he unlawfully caused the death of Prisca Mwiinga, when the matter came for plea, Hampekema told the court that he had understood the charge and admitted it.

Evidence before high Court judge Kenneth Mulife is that on April, 16 this year, Hampekema came back from his usual drinking spree where he had gone.

He found the wife whom they had been married since 2002, and they used to have often arguments after Hampekema comes back from a drinking spree.

On the material day, the wife was selling her merchandise at the road side near home whilst her husband sat next fixing his axe with a hammer.

It was during this time that an argument broke out and a fight ensued.

In the process Hampekema took a hammer and hit her on the head, she got injured.

She got swollen and continued to be nursing her injuries at home.

The condition worsened and she was rushed to the hospital and where her condition got worsen and she eventually died.

The brother to the deceased reported the matter to the police and he was apprehended.

In mitigation, Legal Aid Board, lawyer, Lora Macha said he is remorseful for having caused the death of his wife for 20 years, whom they had 12 children and with 10 grandchildren.

Mrs Macha said his youngest is eight year old, who depends on him.

She said her client being a farmer can contribute the food basket development.

Mrs Macha said he is traumatized for his action of having caused the death of his wife, which is punishment as he prays for leniency from the court.

And in sentencing him, judge Mulife said this offense of manslaughter is prelevant in southern province.

He said this offense is Gender Based Violence (GBV) which is a danger to the women or girls in the province and government has put in a lot of efforts in curbing the vice.

Judge Mulife said the court have a duty to ensure that GBV is suppressed in the province through deterrent sentences, which should send a message to society.

"You must be taught on how to prudent as at your age you should be an example in society by doing things in the right manner, he said.

“I will send you to prison by sentencing you to eight years imprisonment with hard labour and it is effective from 2 May, 2019 when he were first place in custody,” he said.

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