“I THOUGHT I WAS REPRIMANDING THE CHILD!”
Zim man jailed for assaulting 17-year-old girl
“I am asking for forgiveness. I thought I was reprimanding the child but ended up assaulting her unintentionally!” Milton Mfundisa nervously told Francistown Magistrates’ Court this Tuesday as he begged for mercy.
Pleading guilty to assault common, the 38-year-old Zimbabwean further attempted to pull the court’s heartstrings, explaining he has two minor children who depend on him as their mother is unemployed.
Mfundisa admitted assaulting 17-year-old Kebadiretse Mokgethi at Patayamatebele village (80km southeast of Francistown) on 22nd March.
The teenager was being reprimanded by her relatives when Mfundisa, who stays in the same yard, intervened and slapped her.
He was to pay a hefty price for his heavy-handed interference.
The girl later reported the incident to Tonota Police, an assault case was subsequently opened and Mfundisa arrested.
The Gweru native was also charged with entering the country illegally after it was discovered he does not have proper travelling documents.
Having pleaded guilty to both counts, Mfundisa was fined P1,500 for being in Botswana unlawfully, failure to pay carrying a sixmonth prison term.
However, he was not able to escape jail entirely as Magistrate Chandapiwa Molefhe sentenced him to another six months for assault.