Crimes and Courts Correspondent
A couple, James Mamvura and Natasha Mhita, appeared in court before Masvingo Magistrate Catherine Tafira facing charges of public indecency.
They were allegedly caught engaging in sexual intercourse in a parked vehicle near Jairos Jiri Cemetery on October 2, 2024. Both individuals pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail, with their next court appearance scheduled for October 16.
Incident Details
According to the prosecution, led by Tichaona Chakavarika, the incident occurred around 4:20 PM when a police patrol team spotted a Toyota Hiace parked near the cemetery. Upon noticing the police vehicle approaching, Mamvura and Mhita reportedly attempted to dress and flee but were unable to escape due to the narrow road. The police instructed Mamvura to exit the vehicle, where they discovered issues with the vehicle’s registration and insurance.
Defense Claims
In his defense, Mamvura denied the allegations of public indecency, asserting that he was seated in the driver’s seat while Mhita was in the front passenger seat. He claimed they were guarding the vehicle, which belonged to his aunt and had a mechanical fault. Mamvura also stated that he did not possess a driver’s license at the time. He alleged that the police confiscated US$387 and the car keys from him during the search, which were not returned, suggesting that the police fabricated the story about them being naked.
Mamvura further mentioned that he reported the incident at Chikato Police Station after the encounter, but no action was taken until they were summoned three days later.
This case raises questions about police conduct and the treatment of individuals in similar situations.
Zim GBC News©2024