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Tanyaradzwa Mujati
Weekender Reporter
WHEN you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on, says former United States president Abraham Lincoln.
This aptly applies to the situation of a Mutare woman who is said to have enlisted the services of traditional healers and prophets to save her marriage.
So desperate to regain the lost love is Gladys Chidzingwa, who stands accused of slaughtering a chicken to use the blood to stiffen her husband, Handinahama Saungweme’s legs so that he cannot leave their matrimonial home for another woman.
However, the perceived panacea to Chidzingwa’s matrimonial woos has turned out to be a monumental flop, as Saungweme has turned her into a punching bag.
Having had enough of Saungweme’s punches, Chidzingwa decided to seek legal recourse through a protection order.
The couple appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Perseverance Makala who granted the protection order in favour of Chidzingwa.
The protection order which is valid for five years bars Saungweme from harassing, intimidating, threatening, assaulting, insulting and not to visit the complainant’s house for the purposes of disturbing her peace.
Chidzingwa showed the court scars on her body from the constant beatings she gets from Saungweme.
Chidzingwa said Saungweme packed his clothes and moved in with his new found lover and has completely turned his back on his family.
“I can safely say I am no longer staying with my husband. He deserted our matrimonial home. I am staying alone with my children, but he pays regular visits to disturb my peace and violate my rights.
“He assaults and threatens me whenever he visits us. I have scars all over my body from his beatings. He wants me out of the house so that he can bring in his new lover. I will never abandon my family,” said Chidzingwa.
She added: “He throws my belongings outside the house. I usually ran and seek refuge at my friend’s house whenever he unleashes his wrath on me. I only come back after the cooling of his temper. I always repack my property when he leaves.”
Chidzingwa said she once filed for domestic violence charges against Saungweme, but the matter did not appear before the courts since August.
“In August, he assaulted me and I decided to take action. I reported the matter to the police, but he was not prosecuted. I think he bribed his way out. I do not have peace in my matrimonial home,” she said.
Saungweme said he assaults Chidzingwa for bringing in unwelcome visitors at their matrimonial home.
“She brings home sangomas, madzibabas, you name it to do rituals at our house. I do not want them near my house. Until she understands that her visitors are unwelcome, there will be no peace in that house,” charged Saungweme.
Saungweme also said her wife’s best friend is also the source of their conflict through the bad advice she gives to Chidzingwa.
“Her friend is evil. She is the one who introduced her to these rituals. We had a very peaceful relationship before she befriended her. At one point I found her killing a chicken, while making incantations and calling out my totem and name in the presence of a sangoma.
“She confessed that she wanted to stiffen my legs so that I will be home-stuck. If she cannot abide by my rules, then she should leave my house,” said Saungweme.
Online Reporter