Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze-Herald Reporter
A HARARE man has secured a protection order from the courts after a bitter custody battle with his former wife escalated into violence and allegations of extortion.
The case was heard in the Harare Civil Court by Magistrate Mr Ashton Dube.
Callington Chiromo accused his ex-wife, Sithulisiwe Matibire, of using manipulation and physical threats to seize their three children — aged 13, eight and four — while also demanding money from him.
Chiromo stated that Matibire has been physically and verbally abusive in her relentless pursuit of full custody.
“My ex-wife does not have the children’s best interests at heart,” he told the court. “She is only interested in getting money from me, not to support the kids, but to fund a reckless lifestyle with her boyfriend. Whenever I refuse her demands for extra cash, she resorts to violence and threats.”
He detailed a pattern of harassment, alleging that Matibire repeatedly came to house unannounced, causing chaos and using the children as a means to control and intimidate him.
In one particular incident, Chiromo claimed Matibire arrived with relatives and attempted to forcibly remove the children. When he tried to reason with her, she allegedly became aggressive, hurling insults before physically attacking him in front of the terrified minors.
As the primary caregiver since their separation, Chiromo said he has been responsible for the children’s school fees, food and clothing.
He argued that Matibire’s interference is disruptive and harmful to the children’s well-being.
“Our children are emotionally disturbed due to their mother’s behaviour,” he said. “She abandoned them at first; now that I am taking good care of them, she is coming back to cause them harm.”
Chiromo further alleged that Matibire, who has no stable income, is demanding unreasonable amounts of money far beyond the children’s needs. “I have no problem supporting my children — they are my responsibility,” he stated. “What I refuse to do is bankroll my ex-wife’s reckless lifestyle.”
He also claimed she is poisoning the children’s minds against him, creating emotional stress and damaging his relationship with them.
In her defence, Matibire denied all allegations, insisting that Chiromo was fabricating lies to tarnish her reputation and deny her access to the children. She asserted her right as their mother to see them and stated her actions were motivated by love and concern, not financial gain.
“He wants to paint me as a bad mother because he knows that will work in his favour,” she told the court. “All I want is to be with my children and ensure they grow up in a stable environment. He is just bitter and controlling.”
The court heard that the conflict had been going on for months.
Magistrate Dube urged both parties to prioritise the welfare of the children and warned them against using the minors as pawns in their personal battles, emphasising that the court’s decisions would be based solely on the children’s best interests.
The court granted Chiromo the protection order.
Matibire was advised to file for custody through the proper legal channels and was ordered to cease all physical, emotional and verbal abuse against her ex-husband.
