MBABANE – A bus rank marshal has filed a domestic abuse charge against his wife following an assault incident.
Phumzile Dlamini (43) from Nkoyoyo was arrested and charged under Section 77 (1) (a) of the Sexual Offence and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act of 2018 for attacking her husband, Mazwi Dlamini.
The couple appeared in the Mbabane Magistrates Court on Friday before Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi, with Phumzile as the accused and Mazwi as the complainant.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, arose from a dispute over household finances. Phumzile accused Mazwi of failing to pay rent and provide food for the family.
Phumzile admitted to assaulting her husband, stating that he was “not cooperating” and that his failure to contribute financially was a recurring issue.
According to the charge sheet, Phumzile struck Mazwi several times with her fists, resulting in visible injuries.
The court found Phumzile guilty and sentenced her to a fine of E5,000 or two years in prison. However, one year of the sentence was suspended on the condition that she does not commit a similar offense within the next year.
In her sentencing, Principal Magistrate Nhlabatsi cautioned Phumzile against repeating such behaviour, emphasizing that it sets a negative example for her children and other women in the community. She urged Phumzile to seek more constructive ways to resolve conflicts in the future.