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Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A ZIMUNYA woman recently landed in trouble after her fight with her three-year-old child’s father at a local night club degenerated into a biting contest.
Joyce Chireshe (30) of Zimunya Township appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Prisca Tendai Manhibi on Monday.
She was facing contempt of court charges after she failed to respect a protection order that was granted against her at the Mutare Civil Court last year.
The order barred her from assaulting, insulting, harassing, threatening and disturbing Mwakabvanazvo Sithole’s peace.
The order is valid until 2026 and clearly states that Chireshi faces prosecution if she breaches it.
Mr Thurstone Mubvumbi represented the State.
He said Chireshe contravened Section 182 (2) (e) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, otherwise known as contempt of court.
Chireshe, however, denied that she breached the protection order.
She said Sithole bit her first when he saw her at the night club.
“He bit me on my cheek. When I bit him back, I was trying to defend myself. I was never in contempt of court because I got to the bar before him. I wanted to enjoy myself, not to disturb his peace,” said Chireshe.
Prosecuting, Mr Mubvumbi said: “On the said date, both the complainant and Chireshe were separately drinking beer at a night club in Zimunya when she discovered that Sithole was conversing with the bar lady, Manyara Mharapara.
“Chireshe hurled insults on Mharapara, accusing her of influencing Sithole to turn his back on his child. Sithole intervened and tried to stop Chireshe from insulting Mharapara.
“This did not go down well with Chireshe who grabbed Sithole by the throat. Sithole and Chireshe wrestled and the latter bit the former on the left thumb.”
In retaliation, Sithole bit Chireshe on the right cheek and a fight erupted.
The couple was restrained by another bar patron, Grace Mahachi.
“They both got tooth marks on their bodies as a result of the biting. Chireshe acted unlawfully in disregarding the court order,” said Mr Mubvumbi.
Chireshe was remanded out of custody to a later date for sentencing.
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