The Sunday News
A BRANCH manager at one of Bulawayo’s prestigious supermarkets, Food Lovers Market in Bradfield, allegedly punched his sister and choked her after she attempted to report him to the police for abusing his wife.
Adrian Smith (35) of Barham Green appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mrs Sibongile Msipa for assaulting his sister Miss Ellain Smith and was charged with physical abuse.
He, however, had his charges withdrawn, after the sister decided to drop the case.
“I do hereby withdraw the charges I laid against him, because he has apologised and he has two children to look after. He is also working and I am afraid that he might lose his job,” said Ellain, who is also an employee at the same supermarket.
For the State, prosecutor Mr Denmore Kasenza said on 1 August 2014 around 12am, Ellain got home from town and found Adrian’s wife, Leila Smith at the gate. When she asked her why she was outside the yard, she stated that she was chased away by her husband.
“When Ellain entered the yard, she realised that the kitchen window was broken. She was told that her brother was the one who broke the window and without hesitation she decided to go to the police,” said the prosecutor.
While she was on her way to the station, her brother followed her and started assaulting her with clenched fists, several times all over her body. When she fell down, the accused continued hitting her on her face and squeezed her throat.
This led to the complainant being admitted to the United Bulawayo Hospitals, where she was examined.
The complainant had reported physical abuse at Donnington Police Station.
