Mubhawu in court again

Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
There appears to be no end to former MDC-T MP Timothy Mubhawu’s domestic violence case after he was yesterday brought to court for chasing his wife from their matrimonial home.

Mubhawu (55) appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Nomsa Sabarauta accused of breaching a protection order.

When asked to plead to the charges, Mubhawu applied to have Ms Sabarauta recuse herself citing that she dealt with his previous domestic violence case.

“I am not comfortable with having this matter handled in this court. I would appreciate if it is referred to another court such that I get a fair trial,” said Mubhawu.

“There will be a conflict of interest because everything has been shrouded in shenanigans. I was denied access to State papers, was not told of the offence and I was tipped off of this court date by a police officer.”

Mubhawu added that journalists were attracted to him.

“You see these journalists, they are attracted to me and I beg to be put in another court,” said Mubhawu.

“This is a legal ambush and I want legal representation. Why punish me?”

Prosecuting, Ms Patience Chimusaru insisted that the court did not deal with Mubhawu’s previous case.

“Accused alleges that every corner of the legal system is now biased against him,” she said.

Ms Sabarauta dismissed the application, saying she did not deal with Mubhawu’s case before postponing trial to July 22 to allow him to get legal representation.

Ms Chimusaru alleged that on May 24 this year, Mubhawu’s wife Molleen Elizabeth applied for a protection order. After two days, Mubhawu was served to attend court on June 21 but the couple did not show up.

It is alleged that on June 6, Molleen went back to the Civil Court and was given another court date, August 1.

The court heard that on July 11, Molleen went to Rhodesville Police Station and reported that Mubhawu had chased her from their matrimonial home. She is now staying with relatives.

On the same day, Mubhawu escorted their housemaid Mupangai Tsamwa Chamapiwa to report an assault charge against Molleen.

Mubhawu was given protection order papers to sign, but he refused.

Molleen appeared before the same magistrate yesterday accused of assaulting Chamapiwa with a stick all over her body.

It is alleged that Molleen was angered after returning home on July 11 to find the maid staying with her husband and children. The matter was remanded to July 26.