A Harare woman, Hazel Muronzi, has taken the bold step of seeking a protection order against her ex-husband, Passmore Matora, after a harrowing alleged attempted rape incident.
The case, which was heard on Friday before Magistrate Meenal Narotam, paints a disturbing picture of domestic violence and the ongoing struggles faced by many women in Zimbabwe.
Muronzi, who is applying for the protection order for the second time, claims that Matora broke into her home two weeks ago and attempted to sexually assault her. This incident, she says, is just the latest in a series of disturbing actions by her ex-husband.
“He came to my house, broke my door, and attempted to rape me,” Muronzi told the court. “Even though we live in different houses, he frequently disturbs my peace by collecting rents from my tenants.”
The court heard that Muronzi and Matora are no longer living together, but Matora has been persistently interfering with her life, including collecting rental payments from tenants at her property. This, Muronzi argues, is a deliberate attempt to disrupt her peace and exert control over her.
In his response, Matora acknowledged the confrontation but offered a different perspective on the events. “I surely attempted to rape her after she insulted my wife,” he admitted. “I also went to her house to discuss maintenance issues.”
Matora’s admission of the attempted rape, while claiming it was a response to an insult directed at his current wife, has shocked the court and raised serious concerns about his behaviour. The court will now have to carefully consider the evidence presented by both parties before making a decision on the protection order.
The proceedings are ongoing, and Muronzi is seeking to prevent Matora from visiting her residence and further disrupting her life.
