Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter
A HOBHOUSE man who tried to avoid her pregnant girlfriend from coming to his workplace by seeking a peace order against her was left shocked on Tuesday when the civil court rejected his application.
Patrick Madinda (26) had approached the court seeking protection from his former girlfriend, Sharon Mandengu (19), whom he accused of disturbing him at his workplace.
The matter was heard before Mutare magistrate, Mrs Thandiwe Sibanda.
Madinda told the court that Mandengu, together with her parents, allegedly confronted him at his workplace, shouting at him and behaving disrespectfully, before leaving her behind, while claiming that she was now his wife.
“She comes to my workplace and causes disturbances together with her parents,” testified Madinda, adding that the situation had become unbearable.
He further told the court that what prompted him to seek a peace order was Mandengu’s alleged infidelity.
Madinda claimed he had discovered text messages in Mandengu’s phone in which she allegedly informed another man that she was pregnant.
He added that the man mentioned in the messages had allegedly rejected responsibility for the pregnancy.
“I saw messages where she was telling another man that she was pregnant, and that man rejected the pregnancy,” he alleged in court.
Madinda said he had intended to marry Mandengu in December last year, but changed his mind after discovering the text messages, which he believed proved that she was still communicating with her former boyfriend.
Mandengu denied the allegations of infidelity, insisting that the messages were old and predated her relationship with Madinda.
“The messages were already in my phone, and they date back to 2024, before I even met him. I never bothered to delete them,” she told the court.
Despite the explanation, Madinda maintained that the messages were recent and insisted that Mandengu was still in contact with her ex-boyfriend.
In response, Mandengu further disclosed that Madinda was already married and had lied to her about his marital status at the beginning of their relationship.
When Mrs Sibanda inquired whether the two had engaged in sexual intercourse, Madinda admitted that they had done so several times.
He further claimed that Mandengu was aware of his marital status and that he had intended to marry her as a second wife – a claim Mandengu dismissed as false.
Mandengu told the court that she had nowhere to stay, alleging that her parents had chased her away, and instructed her to stay with Madinda, whom they hold responsible for the pregnancy.
After considering the submissions, Mrs Sibanda dismissed Madinda’s application, advising him to take responsibility for his actions.
“The court cannot be used as a shield to avoid personal responsibility or to escape the consequences of one’s actions,” ruled Mrs Sibanda, adding that the applicant had failed to justify the need for legal protection, before dismissing the peace order application.
