THE trial of Zimbabwe Stock Exchange chief executive Alban Chirume on charges of domestic violence resumed yesterday following the collapse in negotiations in an out-of-court settlement with his wife Susan Mutangadura.
by PAIDAMOYO MUZULU
Chirume is alleged to have abused Mutangadura in January this year by locking her out of their matrimonial house in Harare.
Mutangadura is a lawyer and chairperson of Institute of Directors Zimbabwe (IoDZ).
Chirume, in his defence, said that he was the victim of domestic violence and tendered medical affidavits which showed he suffered some injuries on the day in question caused by the complainant.
He also added that the injuries he suffered prove that he was not the aggressor and could have seriously injured Mutangadura if he wanted to beat her up.
“If I wanted to hit her one blow would have knocked her out. If one has to hit someone then you have to do it thoroughly,” Chirume said.
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Chirume was led through his evidence by his lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa.
Mtetwa applied to the court to have an inspection in loco at the house where the alleged incident took place, but presiding magistrate Arnold Maburo ruled that it was too early and costly to have an inspection in loco. He instead proposed that images of the property could be used to facilitate the trial. The matter continues tomorrow with prosecutor Oscar Madhume cross-examining Chirume on his evidence.
During the State case, the prosecutor led two witnesses including Mutangadura who told the court that Chirume had locked her out of the house and had instructed the security guard not to allow her into the matrimonial premises. She claimed she later gained entry by scaling the precast wall.
