Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A WOMAN from Harare today took her husband and his first wife to court over US$16 and damaging her property.
Ms Rumbidzai Chiwaya alleged that her husband, Mr Prince Chibaya, and his first wife, Ms Melody Muganhu, attacked her after she asked them why they took her money. She wanted the court to grant her a protection order against the two.
She revealed that she worked hard to earn the money, but since her husband is jobless, he abused her, demanding money to give to his first wife.
“I left my money at home while going to work at my barber shop. My husband asked me to give him the keys, and that is when I found out that my money was missing,” she said.
“I tried to ask him politely, but he then slapped me, while telling me that he is the owner and head of the family; therefore, he can take everything and no one should ask.”
Ms Chiwaya said that Ms Muganhu also assaulted her claiming that she had used the US$16 to buy food for her children. and demanded more money.
She told the court that Ms Muganhu insulted her calling her names and vowed that she would not give her peace in the house until she learnt to share her money with her.
The money, she said, was for her children’s school fees and upkeep since her husband is irresponsible, and his first wife claims everything that she works for.
Ms Chiwaya claimed that her husband had threatened her with a knife to prevent her from revealing the abuse.
She also accused Mr Chibaya and Ms Muganhu of selling some of her household property and squandering the money.
“Whenever they notice that they are suffering or want something, they sell my property,” she said.
“Recently, they sold my kitchen unit, and they spent the money without my consent.”
Ms Chiwaya said that when she asked for her share of the money from the sale of her property, they both assaulted her, which is emotionally distressing.
Mr Chibaya claimed that he is the owner of the barber shop where his second wife works.
“I do not want her to work at my premises since she ends up wasting money and if I reprimand her, she claims that I insulted her,” he said.
He said Ms Chiwaya does not listen to him and claimed that she likes men, which is the reason why she feels that he does not love her anymore.
Mr Chibaya pointed out that there is no peace between his wives because Ms Chiwaya feels she is better than his first wife, Ms Muganhu.
Ms Muganhu admitted that she abused Ms Chiwaya and took her money saying she did it at the behest of her husband.
“I respect my husband and I cannot deny him what he wants. When I harass and insult Chiwaya, it is by his order, and so I do it,” she said.
Ms Muganhu said that she took Chiwaya’s US$16 because she wanted to buy food for her husband and children.
She also claimed that they cannot starve while there is money in the house no matter who it belongs to.
After hearing the testimonies of the three, the court ruled in Ms Chiwaya’s favour.
Presiding magistrate Ms Meenal Narotam warned Mr Chibaya and Ms Muganhu to refrain from abusing Ms Chiwaya and to seek counselling from professionals.
