Online Reporter
Fidelis Chavarike
Mutare Bureau
A resident from Chikanga, Gladys Mushuna appeared before the Mutare Civil Court seeking a protection order against her ex-husband, Knowledge Kupundwa whom she accuses of assaulting, insulting and stalking her.
The two appeared before Mutare Magistrate, Xavier Chipato. Mushuna stated that the harassment began in February this year following their separation.“We were married for only three years and separated in February because he kept assaulting me accusing me of having an extramarital affair. I already had a child from a previous marriage and when the child’s father visited our home, Kupundwa assumed I was sleeping with him which led to our divorce,” she said.
Mushuna claims that since the separation, Kupundwa has been harassing her at home and in public.He comes to my house drunk even at night, shouting vulgar words and sometimes claiming he wants to see the child. Recently he came around 2 a.m., shouting and causing a scene. Neighbours woke up. He choked me and our neighbour, Baba Tanatswa was the one who chased him away. He confronts every man he sees me with, he even slapped my boyfriend claiming I am still his wife,” Mushuna added.She further alleged that Kupundwa has been stalking her at work and even knocking on her bedroom window late at night.
“He started disliking my child when we were still together. Now he comes to my bedroom window knocking and asking to be taken back. He has done this twice. He follows me to Machikichori shops where I do my vending.
“I am done with him. The day he was served with court summons, he came to my workplace and threw my belongings on the ground. He was violent and even threatened my other child.”
Mushuna also claimed that although Kupundwa wants to be involved he doesn’t provide for their child.
“He once said my other child would benefit from his support, so he stopped providing. He causes scenes at my house, and my landlord advised me to seek a protection order. He once asked for custody of our son and when he was supposed to return him, he took him to Chigodora at night. He came back drunk, and the child didn’t have a jersey, he was freezing.”
In response, Kupundwa denied the allegations claiming Mushuna had rekindled a relationship with her first ex-husband. “She started bringing her ex-husband from her previous marriage into our home. I saw him coming out of our bedroom. When I asked her, she denied it. Mushuna has been cheating on me and refuses to let me see our child. She even hired Baba Tanatswa to beat me the day I came to collect the child. I just arrived late,” he said.
Kupundwa also denied throwing Mushuna’s belongings on the ground claiming instead that she pushed him.
“I was at Machikichori, I don’t follow her. She is lying. I only went there to ask why she had summoned me to court but she pushed me and fell. I don’t know her boyfriends. I only go to the house to see my son and when she refuses that’s when I sometimes insult her,” he said.Mushuna added that her ex-husband continues to publicly humiliate her.
“He sits at Bar with his friends and when he sees me, he shouts and laughs calling me a prostitute. He recently told his sister that I am possessed by an evil spirit that is why I can’t stay in a marriage.”Magistrate Xavier Chipato concluded the hearing by granting the protection order in favour of Mushuna.
“The protection order is granted in favour of Mushuna. The respondent is hereby ordered to cease all forms of contact, harassment and intimidation,” he said.
