Magistrate doubts suspect’s trustworthiness

Priscilla Kamurira

A Mbare man has been sent to remand prison after a Harare magistrate doubted his trustworthiness to return to court, if released on bail, to answer assault charges levelled against him by a former girlfriend.

Jacob Musarapasi (37) appeared before Harare Magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa charged with assault as defined in section 66 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9:23.

It is alleged that in December, the suspect Musarapasi went to the complainant’s (name withheld) residential place and saw her in the company of her new boyfriend.

According to the State, represented by Mr Moses Mapanga; “This did not go down well with Musarapasi who accused the complainant of having been intimate with the other man.

“Musarapasi then demanded to insert his fingers into the complainant’s privates to verify if she had been intimate with the man.

“Musarapasi forcibly removed the complainants short and lingerie before he inserted his middle finger into the complainant’s private parts without her consent.” Magistrate Mugwagwa remanded the accused in prison to next week.

In refusing bail, the magistrate said Musarapasi was likely to abscond court since he had no responsibility, like a family, and that he was facing a serious offence.

“The accused is highly likely to interfere with state witnesses and the complainant since they live close to each other,” added the magistrate.