Mvuma – A 24-year-old Mvuma Ben 10 has been sentenced to an effective 12 months in prison for assaulting his 45-year-old sugar mama, Anna Fadzai Katoma, whom he accused of infidelity.
The assault, which left Katoma with a swollen face and bruises, stemmed from a series of events that unfolded over a single day.
The incident began on the morning of September 3rd, 2024, at approximately 6 am. Tonderai Mupindu arrived at his sugar mama Katoma’s homestead and discovered her asleep, sharing a blanket with his best friend, Vitalis Masamha. In a display of immediate anger, Mupindu removed the blanket and left the scene without further confrontation at that time, supposedly to clearly show them that he now knows that they were having lula lula behind his back.
However, the simmering anger did not subside. Later that evening, around 6 pm, Mupindu encountered Masamha and Katoma again, this time at the Penny Beer Hall in Munanzvi Business Centre. He requested a private conversation with Katoma, leading them back to her homestead.
It was at the homestead that the situation escalated. Mupindu questioned Katoma about a relationship with Masamha, a question she denied. This denial, however, triggered a violent outburst. In a fit of rage, Mupindu heavily assaulted Katoma using clenched fists. The assault resulted in visible injuries, including a swollen face and bruises around her left ear and eyes.
Katoma who is an assistant builder at Midlands State University (MSU), subsequently reported the assault to the police, leading to Mupindu’s arrest. The case proceeded to court, where Magistrate Constance Mutandwa presided over the hearing.
The court heard evidence detailing the events of September 3rd, from the initial discovery of Katoma and Masamha sharing a blanket to the subsequent assault at Katoma’s homestead.
The prosecution, led by Simbarashe Hwacha, presented a compelling case that highlighted the severity of the assault and the emotional distress caused to Katoma.
The court considered the evidence presented, including Katoma’s testimony about the assault and the medical evidence documenting her injuries. The prosecution successfully argued that Mupindu’s actions constituted a serious breach of the law and warranted a custodial sentence.
In handing down her sentence, Magistrate Mutandwa clearly stated the gravity of domestic violence and the need for strong deterrents against such behaviour. The effective 12-month jail term reflects the court’s condemnation of Mupindu’s actions and its commitment to protecting victims of domestic violence.
