Man Assaults Ex-Girlfriend Over Valentine’s Gift

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A 22-year-old Kuwadzana man has been fined US$150 after assaulting his ex-girlfriend for refusing to accept his Valentine’s Day gift.

Braindon Ncube appeared before Harare magistrate Learnmore Mapiye facing charges of assault and theft. He was convicted of assault but acquitted on the theft charge due to lack of evidence.

Prosecutor Faith Mukanhairi told the court that on February 14, around 8 PM, Ncube visited his ex-girlfriend, Rebecca Masunda, at her residence and attempted to give her a Valentine’s gift. Masunda declined, citing that they had ended their relationship.

Ncube became enraged, slapped Masunda with open hands, and grabbed her by the neck. Masunda managed to escape, leaving Ncube alone in her room.

Later that night, at around 10 PM, Masunda returned to her room and discovered that her piggy bank containing US$10 000, which she had kept in her wardrobe, was missing.

She contacted Ncube, who claimed he had already left for Kuwadzana 6.

A police report was made, but the court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to link Ncube to the missing money.