Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze-Herald Reporter
THE Harare Civil Court granted a protection order yesterday to a woman seeking justice after enduring harassment and abuse from her husband over blood test results.
Ms Pardones Taruvinga shared her harrowing testimony accusing her husband Elias Panganayi of betrayal abuse and violence upon discovering that he had been on HIV medication for the past four years.
According to Ms Taruvinga, her nightmare began years ago when she unknowingly shared a life with a man concealing a significant secret.
“I do not know why he is making my life miserable. I am being sexually harassed by this man,” she said.
Ms Taruvinga claims Panganayi had been living with HIV and taking antiretroviral medication privately.
For four years, he collected his tablets took them when she wasn’t looking and pretended to be healthy.
He never informed her or gave her the chance to protect herself making decisions that impacted her health and future without her knowledge.
For a long time, Taruvinga believed she was in a safe marriage.
She only discovered the truth after finding packets of antiretroviral medication hidden in their home in a place he assumed she would never look.
When she confronted him expecting remorse or an apology, she was met instead with violence.
Panganayi allegedly became physically and emotionally aggressive accusing her of snooping and trying to ruin him. From that moment, the abuse escalated.
Ms Taruvinga stated that Panganayi repeatedly threatened her warning her never to speak about what she had uncovered.
He insulted and demeaned her using violence to enforce silence. She felt like a prisoner in her own home terrified that any attempt to seek help would lead to further attacks.
After yet another heated confrontation, Ms Taruvinga decided she could no longer carry a secret that endangered her health and emotional well-being. She reported the abuse, the threats and the concealed medication and sought legal assistance.
Ms Taruvinga expressed that her greatest pain is that her husband continues to abuse her despite her suffering. In response, Panganayi denied any abuse but remained silent on the health issues.
“I only reprimanded her as my wife. I never abused her; she is my wife whom I loved,” he argued.
After reviewing all testimonies, the presiding magistrate ruled in favour of Ms Taruvinga advising Panganayi to refrain from further abuse.
He was warned that breaching the protection order could result in imprisonment.
