Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A CHIMANIMANI man — Joshua Masibera — is seeking restitution and restoration of his dignity after a brutal assault at his homestead that left him physically handicapped and emotionally traumatised.
Masibera appeared before Chief Saurombe’s community court recently, seeking justice from fellow villager, Christopher Chikarata, whom he accused of violently attacking him in the dead of the night.
The incident, which occurred in May, was recounted in chilling detail by the victim.
Masibera told the court that Chikarata, not only physically assaulted him, but also humiliated him in front of his family, eroding his dignity in the eyes of his wife and children.
“He arrived at my home at midnight while everyone else was asleep. He began shouting and insulting me, accusing me of sleeping peacefully while my stray cattle was destroying his crops.
“He threatened to burn down my house with my family inside if I did not come out,” said Masibera.
Masibera further said before he could gather his thoughts, Chikarata had smashed all the windows of his house and what followed, was a brutal assault that left him with a broken arm.
“He beat me up right in front of my wife and children. I saw the fear in their eyes. I witnessed how their perception of me changed in that moment. As a father and husband, that was the most painful aspect — not just the physical injury, but the loss of respect and security I was supposed to provide,” said Masibera.
He also informed the court that after the assault, Chikarata took his mobile phone and left.
“When he realised the gravity of his actions the following morning, he sent his child to return the phone but I refused to accept it. I was unsure what he had done to it, and honestly, it was no longer about the phone — it was about the pain and humiliation,” said Masibera.
Masibera claimed that he now suffers from a permanent disability as a result of the injuries, which has left him unable to work and provide for his family as he once did.
“I am no longer the man I was. My arm is damaged beyond repair. I am seeking justice. He must compensate me with a beast that will serve me for the rest of my life as I can no longer farm with my hand,” he said.
Masibera presented documents in court showing that Chikarata had previously appeared before the Chimanimani Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to the assault and was sentenced to 21 days in prison, wholly suspended on condition that he pays restitution of US$30, which he did.
Chikarata was also fined US$150.
However, during the traditional court session, Chikarata denied any wrongdoing and claimed that he had been unfairly convicted in the magistrates’ court.
“He is lying. The truth is, when I went to his homestead, he is the one who assaulted me. He was angry that I had come to his house at night. I never laid a hand on him,” argued Chikarata.
However, the court remained unconvinced by his claims.
Chief Saurombe, after hearing both parties and reviewing the evidence presented, including the prior court ruling, fined Chikarata US$150 and ordered him to pay a beast to Masibera within 14 days.
“The beast is for the pain and suffering, humiliation, medical and transport costs you incurred after he assaulted you. The US$150 is for tsvukamaropa, which in our tradition means shedding blood in my jurisdiction. That is not taken lightly,” ruled Chief Saurombe.
He warned villagers to resolve their disputes amicably and follow proper channels instead of resorting to violence.
“This kind of behaviour — assaulting another man in front of his family — is not just criminal, it is inhuman. There are ways to solve disagreements without resorting to brutality,” he said.
Masibera said the ruling brings some measure of closure, but the emotional and physical scars remain.
“What happened to me cannot be undone. But at least my community now knows the truth. My children know that their father sought justice, not revenge. That matters to me,” he said after the ruling.
