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Peter Matika, [email protected]

PROMINENT Bulawayo businesswoman Pamela Mwapaura has been arrested for allegedly assaulting her husband and damaging his cell phone following a domestic feud.

Mwapaura (41), who owns Pamela Creations in Bulawayo, attacked her husband, Mr Kwame Mwemba (53). The alleged offence occurred at their home in Hopeville suburb.

Pamela Mwapaura with her husband Kwame Mwemba in happier times.

Her company specialises in designing school wear and clothes for special occasions such as weddings and lobola parties among others.

Mwapaura appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Nomagugu Maphosa on charges of physical abuse and she was remanded out of custody to 19 November.

The prosecutor, Ms Mufaro Ndirayire told the court that sometime in March this year, Mwapaura allegedly stalked her husband from the city to Luveve suburb.

The court heard that along the way Mwapaura’s husband offered a lift to a certain woman from Entumbane suburb to Luveve.

Pamela Mwapaura with her husband Kwame Mwemba in happier times.

Mwapaura thereafter allegedly blocked her husband’s vehicle before disembarking and confronting him.

“The accused person approached the complainant and took away his cellphone, a foldable Samsung, and smashed it on the ground. The value of the phone is US$1 000,” said Ms Ndirayire.

The court heard that eight months later, Mwapaura allegedly assaulted her husband following a misunderstanding over money.

“On 2 November this year the accused allegedly punched the complainant several times on the face, head, and back following a misunderstanding to do with money and family expenses,” said Ms Ndirayire.

According to State papers, Mr Mwemba wanted to borrow money from Mwapaura who became hostile and started insulting him, before she assaulted him.

The case comes just days before Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in observing 16 days against Gender-based Violence.

Pamela Mwapaura with her husband Kwame Mwemba in happier times.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence (GBV) will take place from November 25 to December 10.

The 16 Days of Activism is a global campaign that raises awareness and encourages action to end violence against women and girls.

It was started in 1991 by activists at the Women’s Global Leadership Institute and is coordinated annually by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership.

Victims of gender-based violence (GBV) are commonly women and girls, but it is undeniable that men and boys are also targeted.

Males who experience GBV receive less attention than females and such cases remain hidden.