By ANDREW PHIRI –

THE Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has condemned the assaulting and wounding of a 34-year-old man of Livingstone by his wife.

Southern Province NGOCC coordinating officer Faith Simukoko said the organisation was aware that men were also victims of gender-based violence (GBV) and that they needed protection from such violence.

Ms Simukoko said in an interview in Livingstone yesterday that men should

come out in the open and report all forms of GBV to relevant authorities for perpetrators to be dealt with.

“It is unfortunate that our male folk do not report cases of GBV, but we are aware that even men are victims, but they do not come out in the open because they are afraid of being considered as weak vessels,” Ms Simukoko said.

Monde Pumulo, 34, brutally beat up George Chileka of Linda Township during a drinking spree on Christmas Eve.

Mr Chileka sustained deep cuts on his neck as well as his right hand and face, and was rushed to Livingstone General Hospital for treatment.

Pumulo, who used beer bottles to beat her husband, was currently in police detention.

According to a police report obtained by the Times of Zambia, Mr Chileka was unlawfully wounded and sustained multiple deep cuts on the neck as well as the face and right hand.

Police have since charged Pumulo with the offence of unlawful wounding and she would appear in court soon.

Mr Chileka has since been discharged from hospital.