Munyaradzi Mashiri | Court Correspondent
A Mabelreign man has been arraigned before the courts for allegedly wielding guns and threatening violence against his own family, despite a court order issued to protect them.
Nyasha Masoka ,44, appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo facing three charges: threats to commit murder, contempt of court, and failure to renew a firearms certificate. He is expected back in court on June 23.
The complainant, Margaret Kapadza, married Masoka in 2018, and the couple initially lived peacefully. However, by 2021, their relationship had soured, and Masoka reportedly became violent.
In 2023, the situation worsened. Kapadza sought mediation through Masoka’s brother, but when the accused was invited to the meeting, he allegedly showed up armed with a pistol and continued threatening his wife in front of his brother.
Following continued threats to her and their young son, Kapadza reported the matter to ZRP Avondale. On September 6, 2024, she was granted a protection order, which prohibited Masoka from verbally abusing her, threatening her with violence, or visiting her residence or business premises.
Despite the court order, Masoka allegedly continued to harass Kapadza. On October 1, 2024, he reportedly showed up at her home with a .303 rifle, accused her of infidelity, and assaulted both her and their son. He then allegedly forced everyone out of the house at gunpoint before leaving them outside.
On May 10 this year, around 11:50 PM, Masoka allegedly returned to the complainant’s home drunk and fired a shot into the air using a .22 Walther pistol. Kapadza said she saw him holding the firearm through the window. Fearing for their safety, she gathered her family and fled to a friend’s house before reporting the incident to the police.
Two days later, detectives from CID Homicide Harare were informed that Masoka was back at the house. He was arrested on site and led detectives to his business premises at Carswell Farm Shopping Center in Nyabira, Zvimba, where they recovered his .22 Walther pistol (serial number 102277LR) loaded with three rounds, and a .270 Salvage rifle (serial number F475527) with six live rounds hidden under a bed.
Masoka failed to produce valid firearm certificates for both weapons.
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