Online Reporter
Belindah Chikandiwa
Herald Correspondent
A HARARE man was granted US$50 bail after his wife reported him for illegally keeping a firearm in their home, leading to a family confrontation that ended in the Harare Magistrates Court.
Pardon Zengeni (29) appeared before Magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo, charged with unlawful firearm possession under the Firearms Act.
Prosecutor Nomsa Kangara outlined how the discovery triggered a domestic challenge.
“On August 5, the complainant returned home from work and found an unsecured firearm in a drawer.
“When confronted, the accused claimed it belonged to his employer, Chris Noble,” she said.
The court heard that Zengeni’s wife expressed concern over the weapon’s presence in their house, prompting him to hastily remove it.
Tensions escalated further when she later clashed with Zengeni’s mother.
“The accused intervened, urging his wife to respect his mother. This angered her even more, culminating in her reporting the firearm incident to the police,” the prosecutor stated.
Zengeni was arrested at the couple’s residence, with the firearm seized as evidence.
Ms Kangara said unauthorised firearm possession violated the Firearms Act.
“The presence of the weapon in a household drawer posed public safety risks,” she remarked.
Magistrate Moyo granted Zengeni US$50 bail, ordering him not to interfere with witnesses. The firearm remains held at Avondale Police Station pending ballistic tests.
The case is scheduled to resume on August 20.
