Wife jailed for killing husband

A38-YEAR-OLD housewife has been sentenced to 20 months imprisonment for causing the death of her husband by hitting him on the head with a bottle.

Petronella Mulenga on March 7, this year killed Lameck Lungu, who was her husband at the time when he came home late and drunk, and accused her of hiding his phone.

A fight ensued when Lungu started beating his wife. Mulenga retaliated by hitting Lungu with a bottle on his head.

Kitwe High Court Judge incharge Timothy Katenekwa however said the sentence is suspended 12 months and a cautioned her not to commit any offence during the suspended term.

The judge sentenced Mulenga of Kapisha Township of Chingola to 20 months for manslaughter. Mulenga, a mother of five children, was facing one count of murder which was reduced to manslaughter, the charge she admitted. On the fateful night, around 21:00 hours Mr Lungu got back home drunk and found his wife already asleep. He woke her up and accused her of having hidden his phone.

He then started beating her, but in retaliation Mulenga hit him with a bottle on his head.

After he was hit with a bottle, he rushed to his mother’s place where he narrated what had happened.

He was later rushed to Kabundi North clinic where he died the following day.

In passing sentence, Mr Justice Katenekwa said he considered the fact that the convict was not the aggressor but a victim of domestic violence.

He therefore exercised lenience and sentenced Mulenga to 20 months simple imprisonment.

Meanwhile, a Mkushi man is on the run after he allegedly murdered his wife by cutting off her head with a slasher.

District Commissioner, Luka Mwamba confirmed receiving a report about the murder saying, the 40-year-old woman met her fate when her husband who reportedly arrived home in a drunken state, attacked her.

Mr Mwamba said that Ms Mary Kunda of Muzanyuma area in Mkushi was killed around 21:30 hours, by the suspect when he returned from drinking.