By Makokwa Clara Muyendekwa
I threw small pieces of pan bricks at my mother in-law because she started the fight by throwing a stone at me, said the accused person in his defense.
This is in a case where 34 year old Bright Kabuswe of Choma’s Kamunza compound stood charged with assault contrary to section 248 chapter 87 of the penal code of the laws of Zambia.
He told the Choma magistrate court that he was forced to threw pieces of bricks at the mother-in-law after losing his temper.
“Your honor I just wanted to see my child whom I have not seen in years as I was in prison and I took a bag so that he can start school but my in-law chased me and threw a stone at me,” narrated the accused.
The accused person who did not deny assaulting the in-law during cross examination said he had also asked for forgiveness from the complainant but to no avail.
Earlier, 45 year old Beauty Munkombwe testified that it was on January 2, 2022 when the accused went to her house and demanded to see his eight year old son.
She narrated that the son was in the village with her sister and could not be brought to see the father and it was then that the accused threw bricks at her.
“The first brick hit my breast and the second hit my fingers while the third bruised my hand before I was taken in the house by neighbors,” narrated Mrs Munkombwe.
She told the court that the accused only insulted her and showed a school bag saying it was for his son to start school.
And the second witness Eunice Munkombwe collaborated the complainant’s story saying the accused was later taken to police by the neighbors.
Woman Constable, Stella Kondowe testified that she was allocated the matter on January 10, 2022 and interviewed both the complainant and suspect.
She however told the court that the complainant was beaten using fists and kicks contrary to what all the witnesses including the accused testimonies.
Principal Magistrate Idah Mupemo acquitted the accused person on grounds of inconsistence in the Prosecution’s evidence.
