Ex-soldier beats deaf wife, children over relish

Zim Now Writer

A Chivi ex-soldier has been sentenced to perform three weeks of community service at Chirongwe Primary School for assaulting his deaf wife and two children over relish.

Magistrate Caroline Tafire-Nyoni presided over the matter.

Straightford Chindume, 38, of Rungwave Village under Headman Chipindu in Chivi, was charged with malicious damage to property and physical abuse.

He kicked his wife, Faith Virima, 38, all over the body, slapped his daughter and twisted his two-year son’s ears after Virima informed him that there was no meat and they were having sadza with mopane worms (madora).

The incident happened on June 2, 2023.

The matter has been postponed several times as the court sought the services of a sign language interpreter. A sign language teacher at Henry Murray volunteered to interpret the matter.

Circumstances are that on the day, Chindume who is an ex-soldier, told Virima to prepare sadza and meat. She informed him that there was no meat and they were having sadza and madora.

Chindume got angry, broke four washing dishes, and kicked and punched Virima all over the body several times.

His two minor children witnessed the act and began crying. Chindume slapped his daughter once and ordered her to stop crying.

He then twisted his two-year son’s ears.

Virima’s parents took her to file a Police report leading to Chindume’s arrest.

Chindume told the court that he was drunk on the day and apologised for his actions.

Ronald Kwangwari prosecuted.