Wife drops assault charges against teacher husband
Less than a week after he pleaded guilty to beating up his wife, a teacher is already a free man after his forgiving woman withdrew her complaint against him.
Charged with common assault, a so called ‘minor’ offence normally handled by the customary court, the cops saw fit to drag Khumo Lesego, 39, before Molepolole Magistrates Court instead.
Arraigned last Monday, it was heard the educator attacked Keitumetse Lesego on 30 May, allegedly punching her in the head and then slapping her across the face during an altercation at his place in Molepolole.
In a sign of things to come, although the prosecution advised against it, Keitumetse, 38, pleaded with court to let her husband go.
“I request the court to grant him bail; we are not staying together and I believe he will correct himself,” she said.
Despite her cries for mercy, she admitted this was not the first time her hubby had hurt her, claiming he also laid hands on her on 15 May, when they had a disagreement after returning from entertainment.
Keitumetse explained she did not report the matter as violence was out of character for Khumo and she was confident he would never do it again.
She was wrong!
Just 16 days later, Keitumetse felt her husband’s wrath again.
Leaving her home in Mmopane, she packed up the children and drove them to Molepolole to stay with their father, who had been unable to visit for two weekends running due to financial constraints.
“I had to go to work the following morning. I realised he didn’t sleep at home and later when he arrived he told me to leave. Then I offloaded the children’s clothes. When I left he blocked me, jumped into the car and assaulted me with a fist on the head, slapped me on the face and on the back,” testified Keitumetse.
Unimpressed with the authorities for bringing the case to him, Magistrate Mmamerafe Phologo noted such matters should be resolved at the police station or alternatively by the customary court.
“I advice that you meet with the parents and if they try and fail, the High Court is there, there is divorce,” maintained the magistrate, who duly granted the suspect bail.
Three days later, Khumo was discharged and acquitted, with the prosecution submitting Keitumetse’s withdrawal statement before court.
As a parting shot, the Magistrate advised the relieved teacher to work on his temper and his marriage.
