TellZim Reporter
MASVINGO – Shamiso Tavaruva, daughter to business giant Tanda Tavaruva of the Mhunga bus services, who stole headlines a few weeks ago over an alleged assault case together she committed with her friend Donald Manenji who is a soldier, has opened up saying the case filed against her by one Zivanai Cikwanda was a mere fabrication of events.
A swollen-faced Zivanai Chikwanda
Tavaruva alleges that Chikwanda’s case was a counter to the one which she had reported at Chikato Police Station in which she said she had been hit by a half brick after trying to restrain Chikwanda who allegedly was hitting his ex-lover, Ruth Maregwede.
Tavaruva provided evidence that she was the one who initially opened an assault docket against Chikwanda, of 8905 Chesvingo Drive, Mucheke, at Chikato police station.
A summary of charges seen by TellZim News reveal that on the day in question, Chikwanda allegedly used a half-brick to hit Tavaruva on her right hand and again used a stone to hit Maregwede, of House Number 18633, Muvhimi Crescent Mucheke D, on her head, forcing one Donald Manenji to intervene on behalf of the women.
“Zivanai Chikwanda unlawfully committed an assault upon Shamiso Tavaruva by hitting her with a half brick once on the right hand causing bodily harm….Zivanai Chikwanda unlawfully committed an act of Domestic Violence upon his ex-girlfriend, Ruth Maregwede, by hitting her once with a stone on the head, assaulting her with fists several times on the face and strangling her once,” reads part of the statement.
In his signed statement to the police, Manenji, of House Number 15866 S. Makuyana St, Runyararo West, says Chikwanda attacked the two women after they had ignored him when he tried to talk to them.
“The accused person went away and come back again (sic). He took a half brick and hit Shamiso Tavaruva with it once on the right arm. He then ran away and I ran after him …. When I ran to where the complainant was, I noticed that the accused person was sitting on top of the complainant (Maregwede) whilst strangling her with his left hand,” reads part of the statement.
A medical report compiled by one Dr Mwanza of Masvingo Provincial Hospital on February 22 shows that Maregwede suffered moderate head injuries.
It has also emerged that Maregwede had obtained a protection order against Chikwanda on the basis that he was emotionally abusing her through incessant harassment and threats.
As the case stands at the moment, both sides involved have to answer to charges of assault, with Chikwanda having filed his own police report against Tavaruva and Manenji.