Macheso's marriage troubled from the onset

Sharon Macheso's grandmother says her grand-daughter's marriage to Kudakwashe Munetsi was already hitting turbulent waters, three days after tying the knot.

Rosemary Mutore told Magistrate Tavonga Mtetwa  on Monday  in the on-going trial of Munetsi, who stands accused of bashing her wife early this month. He is charged with contravening the domestic violence Act, and is out of custody on $50 bail.

The grandmother of the complainant revealed in court what transpired on the day the alleged fracas erupted between the couple.

"On the day in question, l was at my place of residence (in Chitungwiza). I did not witness the assault taking place. My granddaughter called me, informing me that she was being beaten by her husband," said Mutore.

"Upon reaching (the couple's place of residence), I saw Sharon's shoe rack outside and also saw along the passage, her fridge that was blood stained."

Asked by prosecutor Gayton Vhiriri if she had anything more to add before leaving the witness stand, Mutore said. "Just three days after their (Sharon and Kudakwashe) wedding, the pair was already having matrimonial problems."

The state closed its case, and Munetsi's legal counsel, Charles Chikore, immediately gave notice to file for discharge, with the ruling on the application slated for November 3.

Prior to that, Chikore accused Mutore of working in cahoots with other Macheso family members in squandering all gifts given to the newlyweds, and coming up with spurious allegations against Munetsi, to silence him.

The lawyer also claimed that on the day of the alleged assault, Sharon had phoned Mutore, pertaining to traditional rituals that needed to be conducted by the Macheso family in order to sort out some issues. However, Sharon's grandmother denied the allegations, and also refuted allegations that she was a traditional healer.

According to court documents, the accused blamed himself and the complainant for excessive spending and for renovations being instituted at their Chitungwiza home, a wedding gift from the accused's father-in law, Alick Macheso.

The accused also allegedly told Sharon that instead of her father chipping in with funds to renovate the couple's house, the money should rather be used to buy a smart car for him.

However, Sharon advised Munetsi to look for a job, rather than rely on handouts from Macheso. Consequently, the accused allegedly ordered Sharon to pack her clothes and vacate the house as their marriage had been terminated.

Munetsi also allegedly threatened Sharon with unspecified action and told her that he would fix the complainant by leaking the Macheso family matters to the media.

Having had enough of their troubled relationship, Sharon immediately hit back, telling the accused to do as he wished. Angered by his wife's reaction, Munetsi allegedly picked up a cup and threw it at the complainant, with the intention to strike her. After realising that he had missed, Munetsi allegedly manhandled Sharon and assaulted her with open hands all over the body.