The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Correspondent
As Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a Mutare man was this week convicted of assaulting his girlfriend and causing her miscarriage.
Reuters Makwanise (31) was arraigned before Mutare magistrate, Ms Nyasha Kuture, and was convicted on his own plea.
Makwanise was sentenced to 12 months in prison and three were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Mr Nyasha Gerald Mukonyora represented the State.
Mr Mukonyora said on November 10, Makwanise found his girlfriend Portia Mangandaire in the company of her friend, Nyasha Mapeza.
Mapeza confronted Makwanise over his habit of assaulting Mangandaire.
“A misunderstanding ensued, resulting in Makwanise hitting Mangandaire with a wooden plank all over her body until it broke into pieces.
“Mangandaire was five months pregnant at the time. She fell to the ground and began to complain of intense stomach pains.
“Makwanise left her in that state and two days after the assault, she had a miscarriage,” said Mr Mukonyora.
Makwanise begged the court for forgiveness.
“I erred Your Worship and l am sorry. The miscarriage was not my intention. I do not know what came over me and I am still to come to terms with her losing the baby because of my actions. Please forgive me,” he said.
