Online Reporter
A visually impaired Mutare man has obtained a protection order against his son after accusing him of repeatedly insulting, threatening and physically abusing him.
The matter was heard before Mutare magistrate Sarah Kanyenze, who granted the order in favour of Tambudzai Mabota against his son Munyaradzi.
In his application, Tambudzai said he had endured continuous emotional and physical abuse at the hands of his son, whom he accused of regularly assaulting and disrespecting him.
“He is insulting me, threatening me with death and using obscene language in public,” said Tambudzai.
Responding to the allegations, Munyaradzi did not oppose the application.
The 40-year-old told the court that persistent tensions between him and his parents had prompted him to move out.
“I have no problem with the protection order. I am now 40, so I have decided to stay alone. I have my own furniture. I want to start my own life and I cannot continue living with my parents,” he said.
After hearing submissions from both parties, Kanyenze granted the protection order in favour of Tambudzai.
Under the terms of the order, Munyaradzi is prohibited from assaulting, threatening or verbally abusing his father.
He is also barred from engaging in any form of violent conduct towards the applicant.
The court further issued a suspended warrant of arrest, which will be activated immediately should the respondent
breach any conditions of the protection order.
In her ruling, Kanyenze underscored the importance of respecting the rights and dignity of family members, particularly vulnerable individuals, and ordered the respondent to maintain peace and refrain from any conduct that puts his father at risk. — Manicaland Bureau
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Cousin torches kitchen hut with mother and five children trapped inside
The police in Manicaland have launched a manhunt for a 25-year-old Buhera man who allegedly set his cousin’s kitchen hut on fire after she refused to open the door for him.
The suspect, Takunda Mphofu Shara, is wanted in connection with an arson incident that occurred on a Tuesday in Mawite village, under Chief Chimombe, in Buhera.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said investigations were underway.
According to the police, the complainant, Alice Munjoma (44), was at her homestead with her five minor children when Shara arrived and proceeded to the kitchen hut.
“Munjoma reportedly refused to open the door because she feared for her safety and that of her children,” said Asst Insp Chinyoka.
The police allege that Shara repeatedly knocked on the door and threatened to set the hut on fire if they did not let him in.
When Munjoma refused to open the door, he followed through on his threats and fled the scene.
Munjoma and her five children managed to escape unharmed moments before the flames engulfed the hut.
However, attempts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful.
The blaze destroyed household property worth US$1 500, including a bed, six blankets and other goods.
Five bags of cement were salvaged before the fire spread. — Manicaland Bureau
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Man acquitted of raping daughter (8) but sentenced for indecent assault
A man accused of raping his eight-year-old biological daughter has been acquitted of the charge but found guilty of indecent assault and sentenced to two years in prison.
The man, whose identity is withheld to protect the minor, appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Sibonginkosi Mkandla for sentencing.
Six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, while the remaining 18 months were suspended on condition that he performs 630 hours of community service.
In delivering the sentence, Mkandla said the State failed to prove the essential elements of rape but successfully proved the charge of indecent assault.
“A medical report tendered as an exhibit showed that there was no penetration or tearing.
‘‘Medical doctor Dr Dingumuzi Sithole supported this, stating that if the minor had been raped on two consecutive days, there should have been a hymenal tear or bruising,” said the magistrate.
“However, he highlighted that the minor reported finding fluids on her underwear, indicating her father attempted to have sexual intercourse with her.”
The magistrate added that Dr Sithole told the court such injuries typically take about seven days to heal, yet the minor exhibited no physical injuries.
The court also noted that the complainant did not disclose the ordeal to anyone immediately.
“The complainant lived with her teenage brother and a relative but did not disclose to them that she was raped by her
father.
“That defies logic and is inconsistent with expected victim behaviour,” she said.
The court further established that there were no eyewitnesses to the alleged crime.
The accused was legally represented by Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire of Mashayamombe law firm.
In mitigation, Madzivire submitted: “The accused is a family man with two children and has no prior convictions.
“He is a law-abiding citizen, and this allegation — which he denies — has destroyed his reputation in the community.”
In aggravation, prosecutor Tsungai Charmaine Mutapi argued that the complainant was an innocent witness with no reason to fabricate claims against her father.
The State successfully proved that on August 8, the accused entered the room where the minor was sleeping and carried out the attack before threatening to kill her if she revealed the incident.
The matter was later reported to the police after a relative noticed the child walking with difficulty, leading to the father’s arrest. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Bulawayo man charged with robbing, raping teenager at knifepoint
A 28-year-old Bulawayo man has appeared in court for allegedly robbing a 19-year-old woman of US$40 at knifepoint before raping her.
Africa Maphosa appeared before
Bulawayo regional magistrate Patience Ururu facing charges of robbery and
rape.
He was remanded in custody for trial at a later date.
Prosecutor Concilia Ncube told the court that the incident occurred in July, around 6pm, while the victim was on her way to her grandmother’s house.
“When the complainant reached a secluded area near Christ Embassy
Church in Cowdray Park, the accused approached from the opposite direction, brandished a knife and ordered her to stop before robbing her of US$40,” said
Ncube.
The court heard that after robbing the victim, Maphosa allegedly force-marched her into nearby bushes, forcibly stripped and raped her.
Maphosa fled the scene soon after allegedly committing the offences.
The victim reported the matter to the police, leading to Maphosa’s arrest.
The complainant was subsequently referred to a hospital for medical examination. The stolen money was not recovered. — Bulawayo Bureau
Mutare man gets protection order against abusive son
