1. Mr Masinga, on 19 March 2009, appeared in the Durban Magistrates' Court on a charge of contravening section 17(a), read with section 7, of the Domestic Violence Act, No. 116 of 1998. It is alleged that he assaulted his wife with a blunt axe, and that he kicked her, hit her with open hands and threatened to kill her. He also assaulted his daughters.