By Staff Writer
A-48-Year OLD Man of Wuzakile Township in Kitwe has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment with hard labour by the Kitwe High Court for beating his pregnant wife to death over a bed sheet.
Laston Davy Kapindula was charged with manslaughter contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Particulars were that on March 28, 2019 in Kitwe Kapindula unlawfully caused the death of Prudence Chama.
Appearing before Judge in charge Timothy Katanekwa for plea, Kapindula admitted the offense of manslaughter.
And in a statement of facts read before court, Kapindula when he returned from a drinking spree, requested for a bedsheet which the wife used to cover herself whilst watching Television with her son.
However, the wife did not adhere to the husband’s request therefore triggering a quarrel between the two.
Then a fight ensued where he used fists to hit his nine months pregnant wife on the head there by causing her to sustain head injuries.
And when her neighbours Dorreen Kalale and Ivy Kapalyo came to her rescue they found her holding her head, complaining of a headache and chest pains.
Ms Chama was later rushed to Wuzakile Mine Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
And Dr Olga the pathologist discovered that the deceased had suffered from Intracranial Hemorrhage with brain damage and was also found with big hemorrhages in parietal and occipital areas.
And in sentencing him, Judge Mr Katanekwa said he had found the accused person guilty of the offence and was convicting him accordingly.
And in mitigation Kapindula begged for leniency as he was a first offender whose wife’s death was already tormenting him.
And Judge Mr Katanekwa said it was evident from the offender’s actions that he had very little love for his pregnant wife who needed more love from him as her pregnancy was advanced.
He said Kapindula mercilessly battered his wife thereby his actions reflecting that he was self centred.
Judge Katanekwa said it is sad that cases of Gender Based Violence have continued to take place therefore there is need for stiff actions to take place in law abiding society.
He then sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour.
