Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A DISTURBING case of alleged harassment and shocking accusations has landed a young man in trouble before Chief Mutasa’s community court.
Jay Dzvukuta, of Mutasa, stands accused of insulting and harassing Grace Kusena — a married woman and expectant mother — in a confrontation that left her shaken and fearful for her marriage.
The incident reportedly unfolded at Kusena’s workplace, where Dzvukuta allegedly stormed in, hurled obscenities, and confronted her in front of her young child.
Kusena told the court she was horrified when Dzvukuta claimed her unborn child belonged to his father.
“This man burst into my workplace and shouted obscenities at me. I asked him to leave, considering the presence of my young child, but he refused,” Kusena testified.
She said Dzvukuta accused her of deceiving his father about the pregnancy and insisted that materials at her workplace belonged to his family.
The accusations escalated into bizarre claims.
“The pregnancy is not his father’s. His father was just a security guard at my workplace. I do not even know his late mother, yet he accused me of killing her to benefit from his father,” Kusena said.
She further alleged that Dzvukuta caressed her pregnant belly and made chilling threats.
“He touched my stomach and said I would miscarry within three days. He called me a woman of loose morals and insulted me publicly,” Kusena told the court, adding that Dzvukuta appeared to be under the influence of drugs during the altercation.
“He was smoking mbanje when he made the false claims against me,” she alleged, while stressing that she is legally married and her husband, who lives in Harare, is the father of her unborn child.
Dzvukuta denied using mbanje, saying, “I do not smoke cannabis. I drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes.”
He admitted to the confrontation, but argued that both parties were at fault.
“We shouted at each other. She started insulting me, saying I was being used, and I responded angrily,” he said, further insisting that Kusena was involved with his father, and that his accusations were not baseless.
“She is now denying that she is in a relationship with my father. Everyone knows about their affair. I have seen them together after work, and I know they are lovers,” he said.
He told the court his harsh words were spoken in anger during the heated exchange.
“I called her a prostitute because I was angry at what she had said,” he added.
Chief Mutasa expressed concern over the seriousness of the allegations, particularly the reported threats against a pregnant woman.
He questioned why she had not reported the matter to the police, given the gravity of the threats.
“This is a very serious matter. The man threatened you and your unborn child. You should have reported this to the police because it goes beyond a simple dispute,” said Chief Mutasa, before raising concerns over Kusena’s decision to bring the matter to court without informing her husband.
“It is taboo for you to come to court alone without informing your husband. You are a married woman, and the pregnancy belongs to your husband, yet he does not know anything about this,” he said.
Chief Mutasa stressed the importance of communication and respect within marriage, especially in cases with serious implications.
“Behave like a respectable married woman. Your husband must be in the picture of what is happening, particularly when it concerns your dignity and the safety of your unborn child,” he said.
Turning to Dzvukuta, Chief Mutasa condemned his alleged conduct, particularly the act of caressing a married woman without consent and making disturbing pronouncements.
“You cannot go around caressing a married woman and making such dangerous statements. Whether you were angry or not, your actions were unacceptable and disrespectful,” said Chief Mutasa, before ordering him to apologise to Kusena for his behaviour.
“You must apologise for the insults and for laying your hands on her. What you did is not acceptable in this community,” ruled the chief.
However, Chief Mutasa indicated that a final ruling could not be made in the absence of Kusena’s husband and other family members.
“Honestly, I do not know whether to order compensation at this stage. Even if he were to give you a beast as appeasement, how would you explain that to your husband?” he said.
He stressed that the presence of Kusena’s husband was critical in determining the appropriate course of action.
“We will only give a final judgement when your husband is here. He must hear everything for himself and be part of this process,” he said.
The case was adjourned to April 25, to allow for Kusena to return to court accompanied by her husband and relatives so that the matter could be fully addressed.
