2. The Chief Magistrate, Durban, in a letter dated 2 April 2009 reported that 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 (Act No 116 of 1998). It is alleged that he assaulted his wife with a blunt axe, that he kicked her, hit her with open hands and threatened to kill her. He also assaulted his daughters.