Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A 27-YEAR-OLD Nyanga woman was convicted for assaulting her elderly mother with a log, accusing her of casting a spell on family members.
Tariro Makuyana, of Ruwangwe, under Chief Katerere, appeared before Nyanga magistrate, Ms Notebulgar Muchineripi, charged with physical abuse as defined in Section 3(1)(a) as read with Section 4 of the Domestic Violence Act (Chapter 5:16), which criminalises violence among members of the same family.
Makuyana, who was not legally represented, pleaded guilty to physically abusing her biological mother, Esnath Mutape (65).
Ms Muchineripi fined Makuyana US$200, and in the event that she defaults, will serve two months in jail.
A further three months were suspended for three years on condition that she does not commit a similar offence.
Prosecutor, Nyasha Makuyana told the court that the incident happened on April 14.
“The accused is the complainant’s biological daughter and they are staying together. On April 14, the complainant was at home when the accused arrived seemingly angry, and accused the complainant of using juju at the homesetad, which was now tormenting family members and casting a spell over her.
“The complainant and accused had a heated argument. The accused charged towards the complainant and hit her several times all over the body with a wooden stick.
“The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused person. The complainant did not seek medical help,” said Makuyana.
In an unrelated case, a Nyanga woman, Lizzy Mandikonza (42), was sentenced to perform 630 hours of community service after she was convicted of assaulting her 31-year-old stepson.
Mandikonza, of Duke Drive, Rochedale, also appeared before Ms Muchineripi facing allegations of violating the Domestic Violence Act after she assaulted Tafadzwa Mandikonza with a hockey stick and metal chair.
Ms Muchineripi sentenced Mandikonza to 24 months in jail, before suspending six months for the next five years on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining 18 months were set aside on condition that she performs 630 hours of community service at Nyanga Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutor Nyasha Sesenyai told the court that Lizzy was incensed when Tafadzwa stopped her biological son from hitting a ball against the walls he had just painted.
“The accused person and the complainant are related as stepmother and stepson. On April 28, at around 7.30pm, the complainant was at home when he approached his young brother, who was kicking a ball against the wall he had just painted, and stopped him.
“The complainant’s young brother went to his mother’s bedroom and came back with his mother, who was holding a hockey stick. The accused person started shouting at the complainant and told him to vacate the homestead and threatened to kill him.
“The accused person struck the complainant three times with a hockey stick on his back and took a metal chair and hit the complainant three times on the left arm.
“The complainant sustained a swollen left arm and was referred to Nyanga District Hospital for medical examination. The accused person acted unlawfully,” said Sesenyai.
