Online Reporter
Alicia Kadzviti
Herald Reporter
A Harare woman who dragged her co-wife to court seeking a peace order was rebuked by the presiding magistrate, who said the dispute appeared to be driven by revenge rather than genuine fear.
Annamore Mucheki appeared before the Harare Civil Court accusing Fungai Mutimatema of verbal abuse and harassment.
Mucheki told the court that Mutimatema, whom she described as her co-wife, routinely insults her using vulgar language, allegedly calling her a prostitute and making derogatory remarks about her hygiene and parenting.
“She calls my children rats and every chance she gets she tells me that I do not know how to bathe and thats the reason my husband left,” she said.
She further claimed that Mutimatema interferes when she tries to talk with the father of her children by answering his phone and dismissing her concerns.
“When I have a problem I hesitate to call my children’s father because she always answers the call and cut me off,”she said.
Mucheki also alleged that Mutimatema visited her children’s school without her consent, interrogating them about their mother’s new partner, which she said left the children confused and fearful.
In response, Mutimatema denied the allegations, telling the court that she had blocked Mucheki’s number due to persistent insults. She claimed she does not know where Mucheki lives and has had no direct contact with her.
Mutimatema further alleged that Mucheki escalated the conflict by sharing her contact details with a relative based in South Africa, who allegedly sent threatening messages, including videos and voice notes while brandishing a firearm.
“Her brother threatens me with guns ,telling me he does not fear killing,”she said.
She told the court that the dispute dates back to her introduction to her in-laws, after which Mucheki allegedly resurfaced following more than two years of separation from their husband and began demanding reconciliation.
Mutimatema admitted to visiting the children’s school but said she did so in the company of their father and had since stopped after Mucheki objected.
Presiding magistrate, Ms Janemary Makonye criticised both parties, saying the matter appeared to be rooted in personal vendettas.
“This court should not be used to settle scores. Applications must be brought with clean hands,” she said.
Ms Makonye warned that issuing threats is a criminal offence and urged both women to resolve their differences peacefully, noting that there was clear “bad blood” and a desire for retaliation on both sides.
She emphasised that separation should be handled amicably and that violence or intimidation was not a solution.
Despite the concerns raised, the court granted a peace order in the interest of maintaining peace between the parties.
