“Evil spirits drove me to beat up my wife” – Lupane man tell magistrate

A 32-year-old man from Jibajiba Village in Lupane District shocked a local court when he claimed that evil spirits had instructed him to viciously assault his wife during a drunken rage.
Ndabezinhle Dube appeared before Lupane magistrate, Mr Blessing Shumba, facing charges of physical abuse under the Domestic Violence Act.

He pleaded guilty to the offence, admitting to the brutal attack but insisted he had been under the influence of both alcohol and supernatural forces.
“Your Worship, evil spirits drove me to beat up my wife, and that’s what she was also told at church.

“I was drunk when I arrived home at midnight from work and just felt compelled to do what I did. May the court forgive me,” Dube pleaded.

Despite his claims, the court convicted Dube and sentenced him to 15 months imprisonment, of which five months were conditionally suspended. He will serve an effective 10-month jail term.
Herald