Online Reporter
Tendai Vambe
Weekender Reporter
A MUTARE woman has been granted a peace order against her lover after accusing him of domestic abuse, using obscene language in front of her children and allegedly displaying inappropriate behaviour towards her 23-year-old daughter.
The matter was heard at the Mutare Civil Court before magistrate, Ms Sarah Kanyenze, who granted the order against Prayer Chazingwa following submissions from both parties.
Chester Chikuno said she had been in a relationship with Chazingwa for the past three years, but had reached a breaking point because of his alleged conduct.
She said Chazingwa frequently consumed alcohol and became verbally abusive, often using vulgar language in the presence of her children, aged 23 and six respectively.
“When he gets drunk, he insults me and uses obscene language in front of my children,” said Chikuno.
She further alleged that Chazingwa had been behaving inappropriately towards her adult daughter, a situation she said had left her deeply concerned and uncomfortable.
Chikuno said one incident that particularly disturbed her occurred when Chazingwa was bathing and allegedly called her daughter to bring him bath soap.
“He was bathing and called my daughter to hand him bath soap,” she said.
Chikuno claimed the incident reinforced her fears that Chazingwa was showing undue interest in her daughter.
“I do not feel comfortable with the way he behaves towards her. I believe he is showing inappropriate interest in my daughter,” she said.
She said the alleged behaviour had created tension within the household and severely strained their relationship.
Chikuno said she had tried to endure the situation for some time, but eventually decided she could no longer continue living with him.
“I have had enough. I do not want him at my place anymore,” she said.
Seeking protection from the court, Chikuno asked for a peace order to stop what she described as persistent abuse and harassment, and to ensure that Chazingwa stayed away from both her and her daughter.
In his defence, Chazingwa denied the allegations, and argued that the dispute stemmed from a misunderstanding involving his son.
He said he had temporarily brought his son to stay with Chikuno after the child underwent a hernia operation and required care during recovery.
“I brought my son to stay with Chikuno after he had undergone a hernia operation,” he said.
Chazingwa alleged that Chikuno’s daughter later took the child to his biological mother, a move he suggested contributed to the fallout between him and Chikuno.
He maintained that his actions had been misinterpreted and dismissed the allegations of harassment and inappropriate conduct.
After considering the evidence presented, Ms Kanyenze granted the peace order against Chazingwa.
The court ordered him not to assault Chikuno or subject her to any form of verbal, physical or emotional harassment. He was also barred from engaging in any threatening, intimidating or inappropriate conduct towards her.
In addition, the peace order prohibits Chazingwa from verbally or physically harassing Chikuno’s 23-year-old daughter.
The court warned that any breach of the order could result in his arrest, with a warrant of arrest being suspended on condition that he complies with all the terms of the order.
