Love rival in court

AN INCIDENT that appears to have been sparked by a clash over a lover landed a city woman in the dock after she smashed and damaged her rival's cellphone when they squared off in the city centre.

Dorothy Primrose Mutekede, of No. 29 Vernon Road in Greendale, was taken to Harare magistrates' court after she smashed her rival, Heather Matare's cellphone.

The 31-year-old was being charged with malicious damage to property with an alternative charge of theft.

The two women are believed to be both in love with Thomas Kuwana.

Dorothy denied the charges when she appeared before magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti who remanded her out of custody to Friday for trial continuation.

Circumstances surrounding the matter are that on February 3 Dorothy went to Heather's workplace in the city centre.

It was said Heather was not at work when Dorothy arrived.

Prosecutor Nancy Chandakaona said Dorothy took advantage of her 'rival's' absence and took her phone away.

This was said to be in the eyes of Heather's other workmates.

Reports were that Heather tracked Dorothy down and hooked up with her at the corner of Sam Nujoma and Nelson Mandela.

The court heard that the two exchanged words ending up with Dorothy smashing the cellphone in question on a bin.

It was said the cellphone was valued at $200.

Irked by Dorothy's actions, Heather took the matter to the police.

The 31-year-old was later taken to court where she was charged with malicious damage to property.