‘Your worth is not tied to a man,’ Magistrate tells women convicted of assault

Lusaka Magistrate, Mutinta Mwenya. has reminded women that their value is not defined by a man, as she sentenced two Garden Township residents who assaulted another woman over a suspected love triangle.

Catherine Tembo and Catherine Njovu, both aged 24, were convicted of three counts of assault and fined after being found guilty of attacking a woman they accused of having an affair with Njovu’s husband.

Magistrate Mwenya, visibly displeased, rebuked the pair during sentencing, saying: “If she went with your husband, it is wrong. But it is also wrong to take the law into your own hands. That bottle could have taken her eye, then you’d be standing here explaining a murder charge. Your value is not tied to a man.”

According to the facts presented in court, the complainant was first attacked in April around 20:00 hours after being lured by the accused to meet them by the roadside.

Once there, the pair assaulted her with stones and fists, pulled her around, and bit her, leaving her with a deep cut and body pain.

The matter was initially reported to Garden Police, but the accused went into hiding.

On May 6, the complainant was again ambushed this time while on her way to the market to deposit money for her mother.

Tembo allegedly grabbed her from behind, beat her, undressed her, and left her bruised before a passer-by intervened.

Later that same day, the complainant was attacked a third time near a market.

Njovu is said to have struck her with a bottle of Eagle Lager while hurling insults and calling her a prostitute.

A crowd gathered and restrained the attackers, leading to their arrest.

In mitigation, both women apologised.

Tembo told the court she had a young child to care for and pleaded for leniency.

Magistrate Mwenya fined Tembo K1,000 or, in default, three months imprisonment.

Njovu was fined K2,000 and additionally sentenced to three months behind bars, effective immediately.

In default, she will serve six months.

Both were ordered to pay their fines within seven days.

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