Policeman in trouble for assaulting wife

By Blessing Masakadza and Munyaradzi Doma

HARARE – A policeman stationed at Chikurubi Training Depot has found himself in murky waters after he allegedly assaulted his wife accusing her of calling and harassing his girlfriend.

Stefani Matope (30) allegedly went on to assault his girlfriend’s (Priscilla Chikarango) husband, Tonderai Mukange (33). Tonderai had confronted his wife Priscilla over the affair and Matope was not happy with it and bashed him.

This has seen Matope before the court answering to allegations of domestic violence and assault. He however, denied the allegation before Harare magistrate Blessing Murwisi.

The State led by prosecutor Barbra Ndoro alleges that on October 27 around 5pm, Stefani arrived at his New Mabvuku house and he started asking his wife Prudence Kachiwe (23) why she was phoning and harassing his girlfriend.

It is said that Stefani then grabbed his wife by the neck and he pushed her to the bed, sat on her chest and punched her several times in the face. Reports are that Stefani’s friend heard the noise and he came and restrained him.

Prudence is said to have run away for dear life but Stefani followed her and assaulted her again, before she finally succeeded in running away. Prudence later returned home at around 8pm and Stefani was not around and she slept.

At around 11pm, Stefani returned and he started punching her again before prudence ran to the police and lodged a report and he was arrested around midnight, it is said.

It is said that on October 29 around 10pm, Tonderai arrived at his house and knocked the door hoping that his wife would answer (the door) but she didn’t. The court heard that after some few minutes, Tonderai saw a Toyota Altezza without registration plates arriving at his house.

It is said that the car had six people amongst them was Stefani and the latter then went on to assault Tonderai several times with a baton on the head and face. Tonderai is said to have sustained a cut on the head and he was medically examined.

Tonderai said that “First time I found them at my house and she told me that were talking business, for her to supply shoe polish to the cops. I was then informed of her movements with the cop and she again denied. Last Sunday I was at a club when I was called to witness him assaulting his wife.

“His wife had been confronting my wife on Whatsapp over their affair,” he said.

He added that Matope came to his place, shouting at him before fabricating a case of assault against him. He was lucky to be saved by Matope’s wife who bore true witness and narrated that Matope had not been assaulted.

“He came to our house and shouted at me but I remained silent. He went and fabricated a case against me, that I had assaulted him in uniform and wanted me arrested. I was saved by his wife and her friends who witnessed the incident,” he said.

“He assaulted me with a baton and I sustained head injuries, stiches on my head,” he said.