A 34-year-old Glen View man yesterday appeared in court facing charges of malicious damage to property after he allegedly smashed his neighbour’s car window during a heated dispute.
Tonderai Mafunga appeared before Harare Magistrate Ms. Caroline Matanga charged with contravening Section 140 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The State, represented by Mr. Owen Chibaya, told the court that on October 10, 2025, Mafunga and his neighbour, Mr. Brighton Mudzonga, had an argument over a parking space outside their residential block.
It is alleged that during the altercation, Mafunga picked up a stone and struck the left window of Mudzonga’s parked Honda Fit, shattering the glass. The damage was valued at US$85.
Mr. Chibaya said the complainant reported the matter to Glen View Police Station, leading to Mafunga’s arrest the following day.
In his defence, Mafunga told the court that he did not intend to cause any damage and accused the complainant of provoking him.
“He blocked my car deliberately. I lost my temper, but I didn’t mean to break the window,” he said.
However, the State maintained that the damage was deliberate and called for restitution.
“The accused’s conduct was reckless and shows disregard for other people’s property,” said the prosecutor.
Magistrate Matanga remanded Mafunga to October 29 for continuation of trial and ordered him to maintain peace with the complainant pending the court’s ruling.
If convicted, Mafunga faces up to one year in prison or a fine.
