Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A Harare woman has secured a protection order against her husband, whom she accused of abuse, intimidation and attempting to chase her out of their matrimonial home over allegations she discloses family secrets to outsiders.
Ms Masceline Gandidzanwa told Harare Civil Court magistrate Mr Ashton Dube that her husband, Mr Aaron Maponga, no longer treats her as his wife.
“He beats me, threatens me and tells me I have no right to stay in the house. Recently, he chased me away together with the children saying I am in the habit of telling people about our marital problems,” she said.
Ms Gandidzanwa prayed for protection saying she and her children no longer felt safe living under the same roof with Mr Maponga.
She claimed that her marriage had completely broken down due to Mr Maponga’s violent temper and controlling behaviour.
Ms Gandidzanwa insisted she had never betrayed their privacy but was forced to confide in relatives only when the situation became unbearable.
“I cannot keep quiet when I am being beaten. He says everything that happens in the home must remain a secret, but he is the violent one, and sometimes I ask for help to protect the children,” she explained.
She accused Mr Maponga of using baseless accusations to justify pushing the family out of the home.
“He told me to leave his house and never come back. He also said I talk too much, that I embarrass him,” she said.
“But all I want is peace and safety for me and my children.”
Mr Maponga did not deny chasing his wife. He claimed that he acted out of frustration, accusing Ms Gandidzanwa of being unable to maintain the privacy of their marital affairs.
“Every small issue we have, she tells other people. I warned her many times, but she continues sharing our private matters. I cannot tolerate a wife who discloses everything to outsiders.
“I wanted her out because she does not keep secrets concerning our marriage,” he told the court.
He denied physically abusing his wife but admitted that their relationship had become strained and hostile, saying Ms Gandidzanwa’s behaviour made it impossible to maintain peace at home.
“She is fabricating lies that I assaulted her, only to fix me. Even though we had arguments, I never raised my hands to beat her,” he argued.
However, Mr Maponga refused to disclose the nature of the secrets he alleges that his wife has been disclosing to people.
But Ms Gandidzanwa insisted that the alleged violence was the core issue, not the fact that she discusses their issues with relatives.
She described several incidents where she claimed Mr Maponga beat her in the presence of their children, leaving them traumatised.
She further alleged that he threatened her, making promises to deal with her if she ever returned to the house without his permission.
After hearing both sides, the magistrate ruled in favour of Ms Gandidzanwa to continue living in their matrimonial home.
The court barred Mr Maponga from abusing his wife in any way and strongly reminded him that matrimonial property belongs to both parties until the finalisation of divorce and sharing of property.
