Church elder’s son bashed by wife for smoking

Arron Nyamayaro

A SALVATION Army Church Colonel’s son was last week bashed twice by his wife for smoking and taking alcohol.

Arthur Chinyemba (38), a saxophonist in the church, has been clashing with his wife Gertrude Ndebele (28) for taking alcohol and smoking cigarettes at the church house in Belvedere.

Their differences were reported to have roped in Arthur’s mother, Martha Chinyemba.

Their marriage is now on the verge of collapsing.

Gertrude confirmed the incident saying Arthur ordered her to pack her belongings.

She, however, said she will only leave once Arthur pays lobola.

“It is true that I beat my husband twice for coming home drunk and smoking some cigarettes,” said Gertrude.

“He would lie to me that he was invited to other Salvation Army Corps to play the saxophone and he would return drunk.

“That is why I attacked him for hiding the truth. From the second day I beat him up, I have not seen one of my panties and I have been at war with Arthur’s mother.

“He said he is no longer living with me as his wife. I openly told my mother in-law that I was not going to leave their house until Arthur pays lobola for me.

“She is the one who asked me to stay with my relative when I fell pregnant arguing that Arthur was putting together money for lobola.

“Church members contributed in raising money for my baby’s preparation.

“She wanted to protect their image at church and my aunt brought me here by force after they failed to show signs of paying lobola.

“They want to protect their image when Arthur drinks alcohol and smokes cigarettes and above all does not want to pay lobola.

“Arthur has been sleeping away from me but I will only leave the house when they pay lobola,” said Getrude.

Arthur promised to give his side of the story only after he knows the person who leaked the matter to the media.

“I cannot give my comment unless you tell me who took the story to the media,” said Arthur.

Martha denied the claims saying it could have happened while she was at work.

“I cannot confirm nor deny that the two might have differences, since they will be home and I will be at work,” said Martha.

“None of the two informed us about their differences and I am not aware of the alcohol and smoking allegations,” she said.

Arthur is the son of Colonel Casman Chinyemba, based at Salvation Army offices, in Harare.