Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A DOMESTIC violence hearing at Chief Mutasa’s community court took a surprising turn when the chief reached into his pocket, pulled out US$20, and urged a feuding couple to buy something sweet and rekindle their strained marriage.
The gesture came after hours of tense testimony in which the couple accused each other of abuse, emotional neglect and spiritual interference.
The unusual intervention briefly shifted the gallery’s focus from conflict resolution to reconciliation, drawing laughter and applause from villagers who had gathered to witness the proceedings.
The couple, Mbuya Chirumiko Marima and Sekuru Marima of Mutasa, appeared before the chief’s court, seeking help for what they described as a marriage on the brink of collapse.
Mbuya Marima alleged emotional and physical abuse, claiming that Sekuru Marima had become hostile and abandoned his bedroom duties.
“My husband is very abusive and forces me to herd the cattle. My brothers think I am the one causing problems in the marriage because my husband is their favourite in-law. I stayed outside for months after he kicked me out,” she said.
She further claimed that even her own children had turned against her.
Mbuya Marima said when she was finally allowed back into the house, her husband refused to share the bed with her.
“For a month, we slept on opposite sides of the bed as if I was smelling,” she said.
She alleged that the situation later escalated.
“He abandoned sleeping on the bed, and has been sleeping on the floor. He turned me into his punching bag, and I lost all my teeth as a result of his endless assaults. Even the children have joined the fray,” said the elderly woman.
However, her husband disputed the allegations, saying the problems stemmed from his wife’s repeated visits to self-proclaimed prophetic healers.
“The reason why we are having marital challenges is because she likes consulting prophetic healers so much. She visits them three or four times a week.
“She has completely changed. She acts as if she is having seizures and shouts that we should sprinkle salt on her, saying she is dying because I am not being intimate with her,” he said.
He said her alleged behaviour had become disruptive at home.
“She asked that we call our first child to be a witness when she claimed she was dying. How does a wife behave like that?” charged the senior citizen.
Mbuya Marima’s brother, Raymond Tawonangoro, later took the stand. He thanked the chief for intervening, and admitted that the family had misunderstood the situation.
“We were blaming our sister, thinking she was the one abusing her husband. But seeing how you handled this, chief, our eyes have been opened,” said Tawonangoro.
Chief Mutasa expressed concern over the level of conflict.
“This home has become a house of horror. Why would you stay with someone who wants you dead? A person who has removed all your teeth, that is not normal. This is domestic violence. He should be reported to the police,” he said.
He asked the couple whether they still loved each other, to which they both agreed.
The response changed the chief’s tone as he softened his approach.
“Love alone cannot fix a home, but love is where rebuilding starts,” he said.
Turning to their children, he added: “You are old enough to guide your parents. A family is built by everyone.”
He then took out US$20 from his pocket, and handed it to Sekuru Marima whom he advised to buy goodies for the couple.
“This is for the two of you. Go and buy goodies, biscuits, drinks, maybe something small to share in the bedroom.
“Love must continue. Rekindle that love that you have confessed to each other in this court today. Find that spark again, and let it be a flame. Your children and grandchildren should learn from you,” he said.
The court gallery applauded as the couple stood up and hugged as had been instructed by the chief.
