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MANZINI – The wife of the prophet who was allegedly forced to terminate her pregnancy has applied for the withdrawal of the matter.

*Nomathemba told the court that it was not her intention to have her husband arrested. She revealed that when she refused to make the card for her unborn baby at the hospital, a nurse interrogated her on the reason.

However, she said she did not respond. It was then that the nurse took her to social workers, whereupon they asked her what the problem was. She revealed that initially, she hesitated, but eventually disclosed that she had a challenge at home because her husband did not want her to keep the baby.

According to the wife, making the card was meaningless as it would be a waste of government resources, since they would later destroy it.

*Nomathemba said it was then that a statement was recorded and her husband was later called and summoned to the hospital. “He asked why I refused and told him I feared that I would do it for nothing. I said I would only make the card when he grants me permission to keep the baby,” she said.

Even then, the wife told the court that her husband maintained that he did not want the baby because of her medical condition.

Police

However, she said her husband agreed to keep the baby but at this time, the matter was already reported to the police. She said she consulted the healthcare workers and told them on the new developments, but they said the matter was now beyond their control as it was now in court.

“Now I humbly request to withdraw the matter because he has agreed that

I keep the baby,” she said.

Meanwhile, the court explained that her husband was not being arrested. It acknowledged the woman’s pleas and stated that his appearance did not amount to his arrest. It further stated that the husband was supposed to be engaged, in the presence of his elder, regarding the matter. The court stated that withdrawing the matter would not address or solve the issue.

Instead, it highlighted that it was preventing any matters that may arise in future. It also stated the purpose of the matter was to maintain peace in their home. It issued that there were certain things that the husband would not be allowed to do. It was further mentioned that the court was aware that the wife was reluctant and afraid to talk in the beginning.

For this reason, the matter would resume, according to the court.