By Dex Bindura man has been sentenced to an effective 12 months' imprisonment after admitting to a horrific act of domestic violence in which he mutilated his wife's genitalia with a razor blade following a dispute over alleged infidelity.
The sentence was handed down by the Bindura Magistrates' Court after the accused pleaded guilty to domestic violence involving physical abuse, an offence as defined under the Domestic Violence Act.
The court heard that on June 21, 2026, the couple was at a farm in Bindura when an argument erupted over allegations of infidelity. During the dispute, the offender deceived his 42-year-old wife by pretending that he wanted to be intimate with her.
While the unsuspecting victim complied, the offender suddenly grabbed her genitalia and used a razor blade to cut off part of her private parts, inflicting severe injuries.
Following the brutal assault, the victim bled profusely. In a disturbing turn of events, the offender reportedly handed her water to wash herself after carrying out the attack.
The victim sustained serious injuries as a result of the assault, highlighting the extreme levels of violence that continue to characterise some cases of gender-based violence.
After considering the circumstances of the offence and the offender's guilty plea, the Bindura Magistrates' Court sentenced him to 18 months' imprisonment. Six months of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period, leaving him to serve an effective 12-month prison term.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of addressing disputes through lawful and peaceful means rather than violence.
Authorities have reiterated that perpetrators of gender-based violence will continue to face the full force of the law, while victims are encouraged to report abuse and seek assistance from the police and relevant support services.
Domestic violence remains a serious criminal offence in Zimbabwe, with the law providing protection for victims and imposing criminal sanctions on offenders found guilty of physical, emotional, sexual, economic or psychological abuse.
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