Senior Police Officer Acquitted In Girlfriend Assault Case

A senior police officer in Gweru, accused of assaulting his girlfriend, has been acquitted after the court found that the complainant had fabricated the charges in an apparent bid for revenge after he refused to marry her.

Arnoby Mapera, 44, of ZRP Mkoba Police Camp, appeared before Gweru Magistrate Mr Blessing Makaripe, facing assault allegations.

In delivering the verdict, Makaripe ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court heard that the complainant, Benhilda Furusa, became angry after Mapera ended their relationship and began seeing another woman.

Through his lawyer, Esau Mandipa of Mandipa, Makwara and Chikukwa Legal Practice, Mapera told the court that last year Furusa visited his home for a sleepover but later refused to leave, insisting that she was now his wife.

Mapera said he subsequently moved out, leaving Furusa behind. He added that she then began frequenting his workplace at Gweru Central Police Station uninvited, embarrassing him in front of colleagues while demanding marriage.

He further testified that Furusa once travelled from Gweru to his rural home at Lowlands Farm, Plot 21, Marondera, where she introduced herself to his relatives as his wife. He said:

“She was not welcomed by my relatives, and due to frustration over the failed marriage demands, she began threatening me, boasting that she would ensure I was discharged from the Zimbabwe Republic Police.”

The court heard that after Mapera entered a new relationship, Furusa began harassing his new partner while continuing to press for marriage with him.

Mapera claimed that following the threats and harassment, he applied for and was granted a peace order against Furusa.

He said it was only after this order was issued that she fabricated the assault allegations.

He added that Furusa initially reported a case of intimidation, but later amended the complaint to allege assault.

Prosecuting, Melodious Kavenga told the court that in October last year, Mapera and Furusa alighted from a commuter omnibus at the ZRP Mkoba Police Camp gate after travelling from Gweru Central Business District.

Kavenga alleged that a misunderstanding arose after Furusa suspected Mapera of having an extramarital affair.

The State claimed that Mapera slapped Furusa once on the face before a passerby intervened. Said the prosecutor:

“The two then went home, where the accused allegedly continued assaulting the complainant with open hands all over the body.

“The complainant sustained no visible injuries and was medically examined.”

However, the court found the State’s case inconsistent and lacking in credible evidence, resulting in Mapera’s acquittal.

More: Chronicle