Drama in Balaka Court as Woman Begs Mercy for Husband Who Blinded Her after Court Conviction
Published on July 14, 2026 at 4:38 PM by Edgar Naitha
An emotional scene unfolded at the Balaka Second Grade Magistrate’s Court when a woman whose husband had just been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour rushed from the Public Gallery to the Bench, pleading with the court to show him mercy.
The woman, Catherine George, made the desperate appeal moments after the court convicted her husband, 27-year-old bicycle taxi (kabaza) operator Blackson Godfrey, for causing grievous harm that left her blind in her left eye.
Balaka Police Public Relations Officer Gladson M’bumpha said the case was brought before police following the intervention of WORLEC, a local non-governmental organisation that advocates for the rights of women and girls.
Second Grade Magistrate Peter Nkuzi found Godfrey guilty of grievous harm and sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
No sooner had the sentence been pronounced than Catherine, overcome with emotion, left the Public Gallery and approached the Bench, pleading with the magistrate to spare her husband from the custodial sentence.
Her appeal, however, came too late. The court had already concluded the proceedings, and the magistrate rose, leaving the sentence unchanged.
