Zvikomborero Parafin
A CHARTERED accountant, who was slapped with a US$200,000 adultery damages claim, has denied having an affair with a married woman.
Kundai Tibugare, a partner at Grant Thornton, has denied claims that he was involved in adulterous relationship with Esther Jerera.
The adultery claims were filed by veteran journalist, Musorowegomo Mukosi, who has now ventured into business and farming.
Through his lawyers, ChimukaMafunga Commercial Attorneys, Tibugare refuted the claims.
His lawyers confirmed that Tibugare and Jerera are studying law at the University of Zimbabwe but denied claims that they meet outside the classroom and school business.
They also denied allegations that the pair travelled together for leisure and shared accommodation during a trip to Madagascar.
According to Tibugare’s lawyers, both travelled to Madagascar in connection with professional work involving Estvis Consultancy (Private) Limited and another organisation, with nine professionals allegedly travelling from Zimbabwe for discussions on a proposed transaction.
They said Tibugare did not arrange a private trip with Jerera and denied that the two shared a room.
The lawyers further rejected allegations that Tibugare bought Jerera a Toyota Fortuner, saying he had no involvement in the acquisition of the vehicle.
The response, however, escalates the dispute by accusing Mukosi of allegedly using information accessible through his claimed position within the country’s security sector to support his adultery allegations.
Tibugare’s lawyers questioned how Mukosi allegedly obtained or referred to call logs, airport CCTV footage, flight information and other records which they said would ordinarily be accessible only to authorised officials or entities.
They threatened to escalate the matter to the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Airports Company of Zimbabwe and the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, among other authorities, and said Tibugare was considering remedies under the Data Protection Act.
The response was accompanied by an affidavit from Jerera, who also denied being romantically involved with Tibugare.
Jerera said although she and Mukosi remain legally married because their marriage has not formally been terminated, they were separated and no longer live together as husband and wife.
She claimed that their marriage had deteriorated over the years and claimed she eventually moved back to her parents’ home in October last year.
Jerera further disputed allegations surrounding the Toyota Fortuner, saying she had received an inheritance from her family and was financially capable of supporting herself.
She said she is a qualified Chartered Accountant and denied suggestions that Tibugare financially maintains her.
Jerera also denied ever confessing to Mukosi that she was having an affair with Tibugare, challenging him to produce evidence of the alleged confession.
“I am not dating Mr. Kundai Tibugare,” she stated in the affidavit, adding that Mukosi had no right to interfere with “her professional or personal affairs.“
She also made allegations of domestic violence and abuse during her marriage to Mukosi.
Tibugare’s lawyers have meanwhile demanded an apology and retraction, alleging that Mukosi communicated the adultery allegations to Tibugare’s co-workers and family.
They said the parties should consider de-escalating the dispute given its emotive nature, while reserving their client’s rights.
