Police Officer Acquitted as Court Rules Assault Allegations Unproven
A senior officer of the Zimbabwe Republic Police has been cleared of assault charges after a magistrate in Gweru determined that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt. The officer, identified as Arnoby Mapera, who is stationed at Mkoba Police Camp in Gweru, faced accusations of assaulting Ms Benhilda Furusa following a dispute allegedly linked to suspicions of infidelity.
Magistrate Dismisses Charges Due to Lack of Evidence
The case was presided over by Gweru magistrate Blessing Makaripe, who ultimately dismissed the charges against Mapera. In his ruling, Magistrate Makaripe stated, "The allegations levelled against the accused have not been proved beyond reasonable doubt." This decision came after careful consideration of the evidence presented during the court proceedings.
According to the defense, the complaint was motivated by anger and frustration after Mapera declined to marry the complainant following a personal relationship. Through his legal representative, Esau Mandipa of Mandipa, Makwara and Chikukwa Legal Practice, Mapera provided detailed testimony to support this claim.
Defense Claims Allegations Stem from Failed Marriage Demands
Mapera testified that Furusa once visited his residence for a sleepover but later refused to leave, insisting that she was now his wife. To avoid confrontation, he chose to leave his own home, leaving Furusa behind. He further described how she repeatedly visited his workplace at Gweru Central Police Station, embarrassing him in front of colleagues by demanding marriage.
The court also heard that Furusa allegedly travelled to Mapera's rural home in Marondera, where she introduced herself to his relatives as his wife. However, she was not welcomed by the family, and according to Mapera, this rejection led to increased frustration and threats. He testified that she threatened to have him dismissed from the police service, and the harassment intensified after he entered a new relationship.
Mapera stated, "I applied for a peace order against her, which was granted. It was after this that she decided to fabricate the assault allegations." This sequence of events formed a key part of the defense's argument that the charges were retaliatory in nature.
Prosecution's Case and Court's Findings
The State, represented by prosecutor Melodious Kavenga, alleged that the assault occurred in October 2025 after the pair disembarked from a commuter omnibus near Mkoba Police Camp. However, the court noted a significant lack of physical evidence, as the complainant sustained no visible injuries. This factor played a crucial role in the magistrate's decision, highlighting the prosecution's failure to meet the required legal threshold for conviction.
Magistrate Makaripe's acquittal of Mapera underscores the importance of substantiating claims with concrete evidence in legal proceedings. The case has drawn attention to the complexities of personal disputes spilling into the criminal justice system, particularly when allegations may be influenced by emotional motivations.
This ruling serves as a reminder of the legal standards that must be upheld to ensure fair outcomes in court cases involving serious accusations against law enforcement personnel.
