Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A Harare man was on Tuesday convicted of assaulting his ex-wife after she refused to accept his Valentine’s gift but was acquitted of another charge of stealing US$10 000 from her.
Brandon Ncube, a resident of Kuwadzana 3, was fined US$150 by magistrate Ms Learnmore Mapiye after a full trial.
The court heard that on the evening of February 14, the complainant Rebecca Masunda, a 23-year-old self-employed woman, was in her house in Kuwadzana 3 when Ncube arrived with his Valentine’s gift.
Masunda, who had recently separated from Ncube, refused to accept the gift, prompting a heated argument that escalated into violence.
During the confrontation, Ncube reportedly assaulted Masunda by striking her on the face and grabbing her by the neck, leading to some injuries.
Fearing for her safety, Masunda fled her home to seek help.
Masunda claimed that when she returned home later on the same day, she discovered that her piggy bank containing US$10 000 was missing.
She then contacted Ncube and he allegedly confessed to taking the money.
Masunda reported the matter to the police, leading to Ncube’s arrest.
However, Magistrate Mapiye found him not guilty of the theft charge.
