Epworth Woman Jailed 20 Years for Killing Partner After Sadza Dispute

An Epworth woman, Charlotte Choto, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for murdering her partner, Jehu Rubaba, by strangling him with the hood of his jacket during a domestic dispute.

High Court judge Justice Catherine Bachi Mzawazi convicted the 39-year-old of murder with constructive intent in aggravating circumstances after rejecting her claim that she had acted in self-defence.

The court heard that the incident happened on 27 December when Rubaba returned home intoxicated and demanded sadza after discovering that his family was eating rice and chicken.

The disagreement reportedly turned into a heated argument before escalating into a physical confrontation in the couple’s bedroom.

Choto then strangled Rubaba using the hood of his jacket and continued assaulting him after he had fallen to the ground, the court heard.

In passing sentence, Justice Mzawazi said the continued strangulation and further attacks on Rubaba, who was already helpless, made the offence more serious.

The judge considered that Choto was a first-time offender and had shown remorse. However, she ruled that the gravity of the crime warranted a lengthy custodial sentence, sentencing her to 20 years in prison.