Online Reporter
Tendai Vambe
Weekender Reporter
A MUTARE man is alleged to have threatened to “bottle” his wife among a host of other abuses in an ugly domestic violence row.
The matter came before the Mutare Civil Court, where magistrate, Ms Sarah Kanyenze ruled in favour of Kundai Kadzinga, ordering her former husband, Kudzai Kurodza, to stop harassing, threatening or approaching her at her residence and workplace.
In her application, Kadzinga told the court that Kurodza had become increasingly abusive following the breakdown of their relationship.
She accused him of vandalising household property, sending threatening messages and making disturbing claims that he would use traditional rituals to harm her.
Kadzinga said Kurodza recently stormed her home and damaged a refrigerator, microwave oven and groceries.
She further alleged that he had persistently sent her threatening text messages, body-shamed her and repeatedly accused her of being involved in relationships with other men.
“I fear for my life,” she told the court.
Kadzinga also claimed that Kurodza had threatened to consult traditional healers to bewitch her. He told me that he would consult n’angas to bewitch me. He also said he would put my pictures in a bottle and use them for rituals,” she said.
The woman further alleged that Kurodza had threatened to visit her workplace and publicise their personal disputes among workmates, a move she said was affecting both her professional and personal life.
“He is threatening to come to my workplace and tell people about our differences. Because of this, I am now facing challenges at work and in my personal life,” she said.
Kadzinga pleaded with the court to bar Kurodza from visiting her home and workplace, saying she no longer felt safe around him.
“He damaged property in the presence of our child. I fear for both my safety and that of our child,” she said.
In his defence, Kurodza admitted destroying property at their former matrimonial home, but said he acted out of anger after allegedly discovering messages on Kadzinga’s phone which he believed suggested she was having an inappropriate relationship with a colleague identified as Simon.
“I married her when she was a first-year student and supported her for five years. When I saw messages on her phone suggesting that she was flirting with a workmate named Simon, I became angry and destroyed everything at home,” he said.
Kurodza revealed that he was subsequently arrested and charged with malicious damage to property following the incident. He also raised concerns over the paternity of the couple’s child, claiming that Kadzinga became pregnant after they had separated.
He said he wanted a DNA test to establish whether he was the child’s biological father. Despite the acrimonious dispute, Kurodza said he still loved his former wife and wanted access to the child.
“I still love her. I want to talk to the child,” he said.
However, Kadzinga opposed direct contact, citing fear arising from what she described as Kurodza’s past violent conduct.
After hearing submissions from both parties, Ms Kanyenze granted the protection order.
Under the terms of the order, Kurodza is prohibited from assaulting, threatening or harassing Kadzinga, body-shaming her, destroying or demanding property, or sending threatening messages.
He was also barred from visiting her workplace or causing disturbances there. On the issue of the child, the court granted Kurodza access, subject to conditions set out in the order.
Welcoming the ruling, Kurodza said he would comply with the court’s directives, while pursuing legal channels to formalise access arrangements and address his paternity concerns.
Kadzinga left the court expressing relief, saying the order had restored her sense of security.
