Neighbour takes stalker to court

A Harare man desperately in love with his neighbour was yesterday brought to court for pestering her with love proposals.

Lydia Sithole alleged that Tadiwanashe Muzengaira was so desperate that he threatened to rape her if she continued turning him down in a bid to coerce her into an affair.

Sithole made a peace order application against Muzengaira who allegedly told her that he no longer loved his wife because of her odour.

"He chases after my children pleading with them to take his love letters to me. Whenever he sees me he throws love letters in my basket," she said.

"I am no longer at peace with this man who is forcing me to accept his love proposal.

"He should not come close to me; instead he should buy his wife in the rural areas soap and perfume so that she smells good."

Muzengaira told the court that he was desperately in love with Sithole and expressed exasperation at her lack of interest in his love proposal.

"I really love her and I was coaxing her well until her sisters started to influence her badly. I greet her well and only talk sweet words to her.

"Your Worship, I love this woman and I equally love my wife. I found it fit to have two wives.

"I desperately love her, it is not possible in our Shona culture to coax a woman today and marry her the same day this is what I am doing.

"I love her so much, God will see it one day that I love her too much. I need time to continue luring her until I find it myself that I have failed."

Magistrate Ms Vongai Muchuchuti told Muzengaira that it was clear how much love he had for Sithole, but his continued pestering was tantamount to emotional abuse.

She ordered him to stop any communication with Sithole.

But Muzengaira pleaded with Ms Muchuchuti to only be allowed to greet Sithole.

The request was denied.