The ManicaPost
Melody Vherenaisi
Weekender Reporter
A man from Mhuriyengwe Village in Mutare stands accused of threatening to rape his neighbour’s daughter after she spurned his proposal.
The matter was heard at the Mutare Magistrate’s Civil Court.
Mr Xavier Chipato presided over the case.
Ringisai Chimombe told the court that his neighbour, Beven Mhuriyengwe, threatened to rape his 16-year-old daughter.
Mhuriyengwe is married and has four children.
“Mhuriyengwe is married but has been proposing love to my daughter since last year but my daughter refused to be involved in a relationship with him. Two weeks ago, he came to my home when my wife and l were away. My daughter was home alone,” said Chimombe.
“When he got there, my daughter was about to leave for school. He told her that he had been sent by her mother to do whatever he wanted with her.
‘‘My daughter asked him to be more specific and he told her that he was tired of proposing love to her. He said it was now time for him to do whatever he wanted with her,” he said.
Upon hearing this, the minor ran away as she was afraid that Mhuriyengwe would hurt her. She later told her mother about the incident and Mhuriyengwe was confronted over the issue.
He, however, denied the allegations.
Later on during the same day, he met the minor and told her that telling her parents about his interests would not stop him from pursuing her.
The minor told her mother again and she confronted Mhuriyengwe for the second time.
This time around, Mhuriyengwe admitted to the allegations but begged the family not to tell his wife.
He went on to tell the Chimombes that their daughter was his wife.
Chimombe went on to report the matter to Chief Mhuriyengwe.
He was advised to make a police report and did that.
He was, however, advised to apply for a peace order.
When Mhuriyengwe heard that a police report had been made, he approached the Chimombes and asked for forgiveness.
However, when he heard about their application for a peace order, he started insulting them.
“He threatened to rape my daughter saying he was going to break her virginity if she continues to deny him a chance,” said Chimombe.
He said he is deeply hurt since Mhuriyengwe insulted him over his blindness and added that he wants him barred from approaching his homestead and disturbing his family’s peace.
Mhuriyengwe told the court that he was not stalking the minor girl but had proposed love to her and wanted to marry her.
“I only wanted to propose love to her then marry her when she turns 18,” said Mhuriyengwe.
Chimombe accused Mhuriyengwe of taking advantage of the young girls in their community. Mhuriyengwe was ordered to pay a fine of US$100.
Mr Chipato also granted a peace order in Chimombe’s favour.
Mhuriyengwe was ordered not to approach Chimombe’s place of residence and to keep peace at all times.
