A female police officer stationed at Harare Central allegedly assaulted her brother’s girlfriend (18) for eloping to her brother, forcing her to pack her bags and leave their house, the court heard.
Margret Gurumani (24) of Glen View 7, Harare, whose rank was not stated, allegedly received a call to the effect that Mitchell Masunda, of Manyame Park, Chitungwiza, had eloped to her brother.
The incident occurred on June 10 at around 8.30pm when Gurumani’s relatives gathered in protest over Masunda’s decision.
Appearing before Chitungwiza magistrate, Ms Jessy Kufa, Gurumani denied two charges of domestic violence and unreasonable disposal of property.
The court heard that Masunda was in a room with her boyfriend arguing over why she eloped.
Gurumani allegedly knocked on the door and Masunda opened unbeknown to her that her brother’s sister had come to chase her away.
Gurumani asked Masunda to pack her bags and leave since she was not supposed to stay with her brother. Masunda protested at the order. Gurumani allegedly took her service baton and hit Masunda on the hand before shoving her about.
Gurumani allegedly teamed up with her relatives to escort Masunda to her parents’ house where they dumped her.
During the scuffle, Masunda reportedly lost $20, a calculator, a skirt and a jersey.
The matter was reported to police leading to Gurumani’s arrest. In her defence, Gurumani denied ever assaulting her brother’s girl- friend.
She said she was called to her parents’ house after her father and Masunda had a misunderstanding.
“The complainant (Masunda) was staying with my aunt and on that day she had moved into my father’s bedroom. I was called by my father to talk to her since they were quarreling,” said Gurumani.
“I was also with my husband, brother and aunt when we tried to peacefully talk to her, but it did not go well,” she said.
Guramani told the court that this forced her brother to ask Masunda to pack her bags and go back to her parents’ house. Mr Innocent Tizirai prosecuted.