Bright Zhou
In a shocking incident that rattled Muzvimwe village under Chief Charumbira, Masvingo, a 49-year-old woman, Precious Beretu, was recently scalded with water following a dispute over debt.
Netsai Rubita (47) appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Ivy Jaona to face charges related to the incident and was remanded in custody pending further trial.
According to the state’s case, presented by prosecutor Tinotenda Makoti, the altercation unfolded on July 28, 2023, around 20:30 hours when Beretu visited Rubita’s residence to request the repayment of a US$20.00 debt owed to her.
In the confrontation that ensued, Rubita, who was in the process of cooking, informed Beretu that she could only repay the debt in two weeks. This response did not sit well with Beretu, who insisted on receiving the money on the same day.
The disagreement escalated, leading Rubita to physically push Beretu out of her house. Undeterred, Beretu resisted, emphasizing that she would not leave without her owed money. In response, Rubita resorted to violence, striking Beretu twice on the head with a log and once on the right hand, causing a head injury.
In a more severe act of aggression, Rubita then grabbed a pot of boiling water from the fireplace and poured it onto Beretu’s back. The victim’s cries for help prompted neighbors to intervene, rushing her to a nearby clinic. Beretu later reported the incident to the police, leading to Rubita’s subsequent arrest.
