NZHELELE - The Dzanani Magistrate's Court last Thursday sentenced a 22-year-old suspect to 15 months imprisonment for assaulting his girlfriend.

The incident took place at Mamuhohi Village in the Nzhelele area. According to Insp Ndidzulafhi Masiagwala, the two were lovers and have a child but the victim, aged 20 years, was still living with her parents when the incident occurred.

It was stated that Takalani Bulasigobo arrived at his lover's home, but her parents refused to allow her to go with him, because he had not yet paid the marriage fee known as "lobola."

Bulasigobo then stated that he will not pay the lobola and started hitting the victim with fists in the face. When the police arrived, he resisted arrest and finally left. He was arrested the next morning.

The court further sentenced him to 24 months imprisonment for resisting lawful police orders.

Insp Masiagwala appealed to all men to pay lobola before they assume that they are married.