MP shot at and assaulted by man using pellet gun in Harare

A Member of Parliament was reportedly shot at and assaulted last week in the car park of a Harare hotel by a man wielding a pellet gun. The incident followed a heated confrontation sparked by the man's suspicion that the legislator was involved in a love affair with his estranged wife.

The MP, whose identity has not been disclosed by either the attacker or the woman involved, was speaking with Rejoice Govera, 37, in the hotel car park when Wilson Makondesa, 38, arrived and launched the attack.

Makondesa, a manager at a city panel beating firm, has been separated from Rejoice since February last year, after she left their matrimonial home. According to Rejoice, Makondesa has been cohabiting with another woman since their separation.

The estranged husband reportedly used a vehicle tracking device installed on the car Rejoice drives to monitor her movements constantly. She revealed that she has been forced to change residences multiple times to evade Makondesa's alleged abusive behaviour and stalking. Rejoice has also obtained a peace order against him, which she claims he frequently violates.

According to Rejoice, last week Makondesa tracked her to a city hotel and fired a pellet gun at the MP she was talking to, before physically assaulting the legislator.

Speaking to H-Metro, Rejoice expressed regret over her marriage to Makondesa.

"I lost peace and I regret this second marriage," she said. "After losing my first marriage, I was quickly seduced by Wilson, who had divorced his wife in 2019. Within two weeks of dating, he paid lobola, probably to cover up his abusive nature. I gave in, but today I regret rushing into it. I am living hell under Wilson."

She added, "He stalks me relentlessly even though we are separated and he lives with another woman. Every man who talks to me is assumed to be my lover in his eyes, and he uses every tactic to attack my personality and job."

Rejoice described the incident: "Last week, he rushed to the hotel where he found me talking to the MP. He opened fire and assaulted him without verifying what was going on. Wilson is short-tempered, abusive, and too impish to be a husband."

"I have changed homes several times to escape him, but he refuses to back down. I pray I get help to find peace from the father of my son. We rushed into a marriage of convenience when I wanted to leave the country, but I later abandoned the plan. That wedding certificate is now the tool he uses to abuse me."

Wilson Makondesa, when contacted, admitted confronting the MP but denied shooting him with a pellet gun.

"We had differences that led Rejoice to find alternative accommodation," Makondesa said. "On that day, I rushed to the hotel where I found the vehicle parked. After checking with security, I was told she had left with someone. A few minutes later, they returned and parked close by. I did not find them in a compromising position, but jealousy got the better of me. I approached them intending to record, but Rejoice saw me and left. I blocked the vehicle and confronted the man, and I physically assaulted him."

Makondesa added, "I am legally married to Rejoice, though we are not living together."

The police have yet to issue a statement or confirm any investigations regarding the incident.