Online Reporter
Fidelis Chavarike
Weekender Reporter
A CHIKANGA resident, Gift Kambarami, has taken a significant step towards protecting himself and his new family from alleged abuse by his ex-wife, Petronella Chishangu.
Recently, Kambarami appeared at the Mutare Civil Court, seeking a protection order against Chishangu, citing assault, threats, and verbal abuse.
Appearing before Mutare magistrate, Ms Purity Gumbo, he shared the disturbing details of his situation. The abuse allegedly began shortly after their separation in August last year and has continued ever since.
Kambarami claimed that Chishangu frequently resorts to violent behaviour, posing a threat to his new family.
“I was married to her, but we separated due to various circumstances. I have since married another woman. Ever since she found out that I am married, she comes to my home and assaults everyone there. She threatens my new family and tries to chase them away, even though we no longer live together,” said Kambarami.
Kambarami further alleged that Chishangu visited their marital home in Chigodora and destroyed the doors.
“We had agreed that while we were still processing the division of property and custody of the children, we both had the right to visit our houses in Chigodora and Musabayana. But she went to Chigodora and vandalised all the doors, claiming my mother had taken the keys from her. I am also requesting that she be barred from visiting our rural home in Musabayana,” he said.
He added: “After the incident with the doors, I asked my mother to stay in Chigodora with the children. However, Chishangu visited and assaulted my mother and my sister’s child. My mother sought a protection order against her, and now Chishangu is threatening to stab her.”
Kambarami further alleged that Chishangu insults him with vulgar language in front of the community, causing chaos and unnecessary attention.
He also claimed that she chases away everyone at their marital home in Chigodora, including their children.
“She was staying on one side of the house, while my family and I occupied the other.
However, she chased my young daughter out of the yard. Last week, she came to the house, claiming she wanted to see the children, but ended up chasing everyone away, including our own kids,” said Kambarami.
In response, Chishangu disputed all the allegations, claiming that it was Kambarami’s mother who assaulted her.
“I went to visit my children, but she had turned them against me. I was the one who was assaulted by his mother. His sister’s child beat me, and the mother supported her,” she counter-alleged.
Chishangu also denied vandalising the doors, arguing that they were already damaged when she arrived.
She also accused Kambarami of being a woman basher, and that he has a history of violence.
“We divorced in August, and since then, I have not been home regularly because he stays with his new family on the other side of the house. He keeps telling my children that I abandoned them, which is why they are staying with his mother.
I did not threaten him. He is a woman abuser, and I think his new wife knows that by now,” she said.
Ms Gumbo granted Kambarami the protection order.
“The protection order is hereby granted. The respondent is barred from engaging in any form of violence, threats or harassment. However, she is permitted to visit the shared properties strictly for matters concerning the children and property arrangements, provided she does so peacefully,” she said.
