Moffat Mungazi
Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter
A 28-YEAR-OLD woman from Shurugwi was convicted of vandalising property belonging to her husband’s girlfriend in Penhalonga.
Moreblessing Kamupira recently appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato, facing charges of malicious damage to property.
The property belonged to Talent Mutandwa (31).
Prosecutor, Mr Chris Manyuku said on April 15, around 5am, Kamupira went to Mutandwa’s residence at Nyazika Shop in Penhalonga, accusing her of having an affair with her husband.
When Mutandwa denied the allegations, the enraged Kamupira locked her inside the house, and threatened to burn it.
Mutandwa escaped after someone unlocked the door from outside following Kamupira’s brief departure.
The prosecution alleged that Kamupira returned, and took Mutandwa’s belongings, including four skirts, two golf T-shirts, four plain T-shirts, seven blankets, and US$370 that was reportedly hidden under the blankets, and set them on fire.
Kamupira claimed a different version of events, arguing that Mutandwa was the aggressor after she challenged her to a fight.
“She is the one who invited me to Penhalonga, saying if I was bothered by her affair with my husband, I should come and fight her first,” she said, adding that after receiving the call, she immediately boarded a bus from Shurugwi to Mutare to confront her.
“I was already planning to visit my children in Penhalonga, but I brought forward my trip because I could not stomach my husband’s extra marital affair,” said Kamupira.
Mr Chipato chastised Kamupira’s arrogance and rushed decisions, questioning why she did not consult her husband before taking matters into her own hands.
“You are saying you travelled all the way from Shurugwi to cause chaos without even discussing the issue with your husband first?” asked Mr Chipato.
Mutandwa testified that she was a sex worker, adding that Kamupira’s husband was one of her regular clients.
“Your worship, to be honest with you, I am a sex worker, and her husband is one of my regular clients. He only contacts me for business,” said Mutandwa.
Mutandwa claimed that Kamupira burnt her blankets, together with the US$370 that she had hidden under the pillow.
However, the court disregarded the allegations about the money since Mutandwa failed to provide sufficient evidence to support her claim.
Kamupira was found guilty and sentenced to 12 months in prison.
The sentence was broken down as follows — two months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, three months were suspended on condition that she restitutes the damaged property, while the other seven months were suspended on condition that she performs 270 hours of community service at ZRP Penhalonga.
Online Reporter