Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter
THE Mutare Civil Court has dismissed a peace order application filed by an Odzi man, Taona Chihamba (38), against his former girlfriend, Grace Mukono (49), citing lack of evidence to support his claims of harassment, threats, and insults.
Magistrate, Ms Thandiwe Sibanda, presided over the matter, and ruled that Chihamba failed to provide sufficient proof that the peace order was warranted.
The court also questioned the motive behind the application, suggesting that Chihamba may have been attempting to escape accountability for his own actions.
In his testimony, Chihamba alleged that Mukono was disturbing him at his workplace and making threats against his life.
He claimed that Mukono would visit his workplace, where he moulds bricks, and cause disruptions, while demanding money she alleged he owed her.
“Your worship, this lady, who was once my girlfriend comes to my workplace harassing me and threatening to take my life over a debt he does not even know about,” said Chihamba.
He further explained that the tension began early August after he was arrested, and Mukono’s younger sister paid the fine on his behalf, without her sister’s knowledge.
He alleged that Mukono was enraged upon learning about the development, and accused him of having an affair with her sister.
“Your worship, this whole drama began when I was arrested in August, and her sister paid the fine for me without her knowledge. She accused me of having an affair with her sister, which is not true,” said Chihamba.
He also told the court that Mukono came to his workplace while drunken, threw stones at him and threatened to kill him.
He claimed the injuries Mukono sustained were self-inflicted after a pile of bricks she had tampered with fell on her.
“She came where I was moulding bricks, extremely drunk — she could barely stand upright. She started throwing stones at me, saying she wanted me dead,” he said.
However, Mukono refuted the allegations, and offered a different version of the events.
She told the court that she never dated Chihamba, and that he had, in fact, been in a relationship with her daughter.
“This man is a great liar. I have never dated him. He was my daughter’s boyfriend,” said Mukono, further accusing Chihamba and his friend of physically assaulting her when she confronted him over the money he owed her.
Mukono presented visible injuries on her right leg and cheek to the court, along with a doctor’s report confirming the injuries.
“I never did anything to hurt him, but in return, all I got was a beating by him and his friend. He told his other friends that I was mentally challenged and that they should not let me near him,” said Mukono.
On the day of the altercation, Mukono alleged she had simply asked Chihamba for the money he owed her.
She denied throwing stones or threatening him.
Chihamba admitted during the hearing that Mukono had taken his T-shirt during the altercation, and that they later came to an agreement that he would pay the money back.
He claimed that Mukono left after the agreement was made.
Despite his claims, Ms Sibanda questioned Chihamba’s motives for seeking a peace order.
She noted inconsistencies in his testimony, and pointed out that his actions suggested he may have been trying to avoid repercussions for his own conduct.
“Why, then, did you come to the courts to pursue a peace order if you later agreed to pay her?” asked Sibanda.
