By Jane Mlambo| A Parirenyatwa general hospital medical doctor Dr Ropafadzo Muzvidziwa has reported being threatened by some unknown men over an affidavit she deposed before the Harare Magistrate Esther Chivasa confirming Pokugara Properties Managing Director Michael Van Blerk’s fitness to stand trial for malicious damage to property.
Van Blerk was arrested together with City of Harare officials including the then Town Clerk Hosiah Chisango, Engineer Isaiah Chawatama and others after they reportedly connived to destroy a show house built by Harare businessman George Katsimberis as part of a joint venture agreement with Pokugara Properties owner Kenneth Raydon Sharpe.
In her affidavit Dr Muzvidziwa recommended that Van Blerk attends psychotherapy for depression and anxiety but gave the court the greenlight to proceed with trial saying his current condition allowed him to follow through court proceedings.
This appeared to have angered some yet to be revealed male individuals visited her workplace and spoke a Sister in Charge wanting to know why she deposed the affidavit that cleared Van Blerk to stand trial.
Prosecutor in the Van Blerk’s case Zivanai Macharaga told Harare Regional Magistrate, Esther Chivasa requested for an investigation into threats made to Dr Muzvidziwa.
“After she compiled the affidavit on Monday in the afternoon she (Dr. Muzvidziwa) started communicating with me expressing that she was now being threatened by unknown people, as to why she had deposed an affidavit in the position we have.
“I had to reassure her that the law enforcement would assist. The male individuals who came I am told spoke to a Sister In Charge but she (Dr. Muzvidziwa) advised me that she declined to entertain the men. She was threatened to mind her career because of the way she deposed this affidavit. I then advised her that for her safety I will be informing the court and requesting that the police investigate those attempts to obstruct the course of justice,” said Macharaga.
This flies in the face of Zimbabwe and judiciary’s fight against gender based violence as the male individuals in question could have targeted Dr Muzvidziwa because of her sex.
The issue also raises questions on the judiciary’s administration of justice considering that the state witness Georgios Katsimberis’ lawyer in a related case, Tendai Biti is being charged with manhandling Pokugara Properties Chief Operations Officer Tatiana Aleshina.
A gender activist contacted by ZimEye, Rebecca Mawoyo said threats against a medical doctor who is just doing her work was unwarranted and smacks of gender based violence.
“I am sure they targeted her because they clearly knew she is a woman, the fight for protection of women will not be achieved as long as there are people who target women for harassment.
“She is just a professional and as far as we know, medical doctors are guided by a very strict code of ethics and there is no way she can get involved in fights between individuals, if there are any in this particular case,” said Mawoyo.