Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
THERE was high drama at Chief Mutasa’s community court last Saturday when a teacher accused of having an illicit affair with a married woman collapsed mid-hearing after the relationship was publicly exposed.
Golden Mutimba, who had vehemently denied any involvement with Eden Makoto, appeared composed as proceedings began.
But the atmosphere shifted when Makoto herself admitted to the affair. Moments later, Mutimba began gasping for breath before slumping forward, forcing court aides to rush to his aid.
His jacket was loosened, a chair was brought, and he was helped upright so the hearing could continue.
The sensational case was brought by Makoto’s husband, Knowledge Maoko, who accused the teacher of wrecking his marriage and pursuing his wife despite knowing she was married.
Maoko told the court the affair began when his wife went to secure a school place for their Grade One child and met Mutimba. What started as a routine encounter, he claimed, spiralled into a relationship that shattered his home.
“When schools opened last term, my wife went to look for a place for our child at Mutimba’s school. She met this teacher there. The following day, I returned home and found her on the phone.
As soon as I entered, she quickly threw the phone onto the bed. I became suspicious and asked who she was talking with. She said it was the teacher, and that she had given him her number,” said Maoko, adding that text messages that followed confirmed his worst fears.
“He started sending messages expressing love to her. At first, I responded using my wife’s phone while he believed he was chatting with her. He said he loved her and did not care that she was married,” said Maoko, adding that he later confiscated his wife’s phone, believing the relationship would end, only to discover that the pair had found another way to communicate.
“I later learnt they were now using Kelvin Terera’s phone. I took the phone and scrolled through the messages. They were calling each other sweet names and he was promising to buy her a cellphone,” he said.
Maoko said the discovery caused deep problems in the marriage, resulting in his wife packing her belongings, and returned to her parents’ home.
“All I want is justice and for those who caused this pain to pay the costs of bringing this matter here,” he told the court.
When called to respond, Makoto initially denied the affair.
“My husband misunderstood the messages. I wanted to buy bond paper from him because he is a teacher. There was no relationship between us and he never bought me any phone,” she said, but further questioning forced her to retract her version.
“It is true that I dated Mutimba, but I never slept with him,” she admitted.
Makoto also told the court that domestic violence had pushed her away from home after the affair was exposed.
“I have been staying at my parents’ place because my husband beats me. After this issue came out, I feared he would kill me. But despite everything, I still love my husband,” she said.
Kelvin Terera, whose phone was allegedly used by the two cheaters to communicate, denied knowingly assisting the relationship.
“One day she borrowed my phone and later returned it. I did not know who she was talking to or what was discussed. That same night, Maoko came and assaulted me before taking the phone. I was shocked because I did not know what was happening,” said Terera.
When it was his turn to speak, Mutimba initially dismissed claims that he was in love with Makoto.
“I just asked her out. I was never in love with her,” he said.
Moments later, before he could continue, he began struggling to breathe. He staggered, and collapsed.
The packed court erupted in murmurs as aides moved quickly to help him. After some minutes, he regained his composure and revealed he was suffering from a panic attack.
Once proceedings resumed, Mutimba changed his story, and admitted the illicit relationship, though he maintained it had never become physical.
Chief Mutasa ordered that the messages exchanged between the pair be read before the court.
The contents included affectionate language and declarations of love, contradicting earlier denials. He sharply rebuked the teacher, saying members of the community expected educators to uphold moral standards.
“A teacher is a respected figure in the society. Parents entrust you with their children and expect discipline, guidance and good character. It is shameful for someone in your position to pursue a married woman. If you want a relationship, find someone who is free and single,” said Chief Mutasa.
Turning to Makoto, the chief also condemned infidelity, and warned married couples against betraying their vows.
“You cannot build a family and then invite confusion into your own home. Affairs destroy trust, children suffer, and families are broken. No one courts a married woman merely to exchange greetings. Your intentions were clear,” he said.
He ordered Mutimba to pay four beasts to Maoko as compensation for destroying the marriage. Makoto was ordered to pay one beast to Mutimba’s wife for causing humiliation and distress. Terera, whom the court found had enabled the communication by allowing use of his phone, was also ordered to pay one beast to Maoko.
Each beast was valued at US$350, with the chief directing that all payments be completed by the end of August.
