Online Reporter
Fidelis Chavarike
Weekender Reporter
A HOBHOUSE resident, Shayne Chakubva, was granted a peace order against Talent Masiyakumba, who resides in the same area, for allegedly harassing and insulting him.
The two appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Purity Gumbo.
Chakubva said the incident began when Masiyakumba’s 16-year-old son allegedly stole his mobile phone.
“I approached her homestead to discuss the issue, but she insulted me in front of people. Her son stole my phone and I attempted to resolve the matter with her instead of reporting it to the police,” he said.
Chakubva claimed that Masiyakumba later came to his house, carrying bricks and threw them at him.
“She caused a scene at my place of residence, taking a sack of soil and throwing it into my house and additionally pouring water everywhere. As a result, my house was left in disarray, with my sofas, curtains and some furniture damaged and soaked,” he added.
Masiyakumba disputed Chakubva’s account, claiming that he went to her house looking for her son, who was not present.
“He told me he had heard that my son had taken his phone and that he would not report the matter without speaking to him first. However, he shouted at my other son as he left,” she said.
Masiyakumba alleged that Chakubva later confronted her son on a footpath, where he was with his friends.
“Chakubva choked my son while holding his private parts. I rushed to the scene and saw him grabbing my son while people watched, claiming he wanted his phone. I reported the matter to ZRP Hobhouse Base, but no action was taken and Chakubva was neither summoned nor arrested,” she said.
Chakubva countered that Masiyakumba had been harassing him, shouting vulgar words and threatening to harm him.
“Every time she sees me, she shouts vulgar words, insulting me. Recently, I encountered her at a bar and she insulted me, threatening to harm me,” he said.
Chakubva explained the sequence of events: “Her son stole my phone, and when I tried to call it, I saw him walking on the footpath, and it rang. However, the boy dragged a little and quickly switched the phone off. When he realised that my friends and I had noticed him, he ran back home, changed his clothes and returned to the footpath, acting as if nothing was amiss.”
Chakubva alleged that after the footpath incident, Masiyakumba came to his house, shouting and drawing attention to herself.
She allegedly broke his screen door using an object resembling a stick.
Chakubva reported the incident to ZRP Hobhouse Base, where the issue regarding the phone was resolved.
However, he claims that since then, he has been subjected to harassment, insults and threats from Masiyakumba.
Ms Gumbo granted the peace order to Chakubva.
“There is no longer peace between the two parties, and it appears the phone issue is the root of the problem. I hereby order Masiyakumba to refrain from any form of harassment, insults, and threats towards Chakubva,” she said.
Masiyakumba agreed to the terms, but expressed concerns about her son’s safety, fearing Chakubva would misuse the peace order.
“Your Worship, I also need assistance. Chakubva will exploit the peace order to his advantage, boasting that he is untouchable and cannot be arrested, given that he has not been held accountable for his actions towards my son,” she said.
