CHITUNGWIZA – A shocking case of alleged kidnapping and assault has once again shaken the news-making Chitungwiza town, leaving residents questioning the motives behind the brutal attack on a seemingly innocent man.
38-year-old ‘sugar mama’ Rumbidzai Tauroand her 18-year-old ‘Ben 10’ boyfriend, Matthew Meke, stand accused of holding a man captive in their home for four days, subjecting him to a relentless barrage of violence.
The alleged victim, Dearon Mutangata, 38, was simply trying to be a good neighbour when he agreed to walk Tauro home from a soccer match at Zvido Shopping Centre on the evening of March 10th. Mutangata knew Tauro from the neighbourhood and readily agreed to her request.
However, their seemingly innocent walk took a sinister turn when they encountered Meke. He confronted Mutangata, questioning his motives for accompanying Tauro. Tauro joined in, and the trio proceeded to Tauro and Meke’s home at number 26703 Unit B.
Once inside the house, Tauro and Meke retreated to a bedroom, leaving Mutangata alone on the sofa in the sitting room. A short while later, Meke emerged, armed with a hoe handle, and allegedly launched a vicious assault on Mutangata, repeatedly striking his left knee.
Mutangata was desperate to escape the brutal attack and attempted to flee to the bathroom. But Meke pursued him, relentlessly continuing the assault.
The nightmare for Mutangata did not end there. The couple allegedly held him captive in their home for four grueling days, denying him any form of medical attention. They eventually abandoned him at the edge of the road near their house, leaving him helpless and unable to walk.
The gravity of the alleged crimes has not escaped the attention of the law. Tauro and Meke have been arrested and charged with kidnapping, as defined in Section 93(1) (a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23, and assault, as defined in Section 89 (1) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23.
They appeared before Magistrate Winfieder Tiyatara at the Chitungwiza Magistrates’ Courts, where the case was formally presented. The court proceedings are ongoing and prosecutor Tendai Ruwocha is representing the State.
