Gweru Domestic Violence Woman Escapes Jail After Viral Video
n By Dumisani Ndlovu n nn n Gweru – Portia Ntombikayise Chedimbwa, a 40-year-old woman from the Bata Estate in Gweru, has avoided jail time after the Gweru Magistrates Court sentenced her to four months' imprisonment, wholly suspended for f
anostrofy By Dumisani Ndlovu
Gweru – Portia Ntombikayise Chedimbwa, a 40-year-old woman from the Bata Estate in Gweru, has avoided jail time after the Gweru Magistrates Court sentenced her to four months' imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years.
This decision follows an incident in which she assaulted her 16-year-old son, which was captured on video and went viral on social media.
The case, presided over by Magistrate Blessing Makaripe, concluded with Chedimbwa pleading guilty.
According to the state's presentation, the incident which transpired on the 1st of December at K12 Bata began when the complainant received a call from his father, inviting him to meet at the small gate.
The father, the husband of the accused, handed him groceries to take home. After briefly leaving, the complainant returned to find his parents in a heated domestic dispute.
The court learned that the accused was throwing groceries out of their home.
When the teenager intervened to return the items, his mother reacted violently, slapping him multiple times and accusing him of siding with his father. She slapped him several times with open hands.
The husband recorded the altercation and the video circulated widely, raising public concern and prompting police intervention.
During the aggravation phase, the state represented by Prosecutor, Melodious Kavenga noted the prevalence of domestic violence and urged the court to send a strong deterrent message regarding violence against children.
The court, however, considered several mitigating factors including that Chedimbwa's early guilty plea, her remorse, her status as a first-time offender and the emotional impact of her recent bereavement after the death of her mother.
The 16-year-old complainant expressed a desire for leniency, describing his mother as "generally a good and loving mother" acting out of emotional distress.
Ultimately, Magistrate Makaripe handed him a four-month jail term, which is suspended for five years on the condition that Chedimbwa does not commit a similar offence during this period.
