Online Reporter
Fidelis Chavarike
Weekender Reporter
A WOMAN from Odzi, Marceline Nevanje, recently appeared at the Mutare Civil Court seeking a protection order against her husband, Knowledge Chikuni, due to alleged insults, assaults, and threats.
The couple stood before Mutare magistrate, Ms Purity Gumbo, where Nevanje shared the distressing details of her situation. She revealed that the abuse has been ongoing, causing her significant stress. She alleged that Chikuni uses open hands to assault her during arguments.
“Every argument with my husband ends in physical violence. He disregards my advice, perceiving it as a threat to his authority as head of the household. Recently, we launched a joint poultry project, but he unilaterally took the funds and spent them without my input. When I confronted him, he assaulted me and threatened to send me back to my parents,” Nevanje recounted.
She further alleged that Chikuni has a tendency of destroying furniture when angry or intoxicated, forcing her to seek refuge elsewhere.
“My husband frequently returns home late from the bar, hurling insults and destroying household property. The tension often escalates to the point where I am forced to seek refuge at my mother’s house. He creates an unstable environment, making it challenging to raise our children. We have three children together, two of whom are minors. He regularly uses vulgar language to insult me,” said Nevanje.
Nevanje also claimed that Chikuni has been bitter since their daughter got married before completing her A-Level studies.
“He unfairly blames me, claiming I was involved in our daughter’s elopement. He told his relatives that I orchestrated the whole thing for financial gain, despite knowing she was actually impregnated by her classmate. I had absolutely no part in it,” said Nevanje.
Chikuni disputed Nevanje’s account, claiming she orchestrated their daughter’s marriage for financial gain.
“Nevanje and my sister took my daughter to this boy’s house without informing me. They deliberately kept me in the dark. I have never been prone to destroying furniture — it happened only once when I was furious about how they abandoned my daughter. Regarding our joint projects, I used the funds to pay school fees, not for personal gain. In fact, it is Nevanje who spends money on frequent visits to her sister in Harare,” said Chikuni.
Chikuni further alleged that his wife was unfaithful, and claimed the protection order was a tactical move to sidestep discussions about her supposed boyfriend. Chikuni said this would enable her to label any confrontation as harassment or insult, rather than addressing the infidelity issue.
“She is unfaithful. I previously caught her with a boyfriend and forgave her, but now she is involved in yet another affair. The ‘advice’ she mentions refers to my disapproval of our daughter getting married before completing her education.
Ironically, it is Nevanje who is teaching our children bad behaviour through her actions. Throughout our marriage, I have remained faithful. Moreover, breaking property and physically assaulting someone are two different things,” said Chikuni.
Nevanje countered by alleging that it was, in fact, Chikuni’s sister who intervened and prevented him from throwing her clothes out of the house.
“I am not having an affair — he simply does not trust me. Although I had an extramarital relationship in the past, I am now fully committed to my family. However, when he saw a man leaving our homestead as he returned from work, he jumped to conclusions. In a fit of anger, he threw my clothes outside, but fortunately, his sister intervened and stopped him,” said Nevanje.
Ms Gumbo granted the protection order to Nevanje.
“The protection order is granted for the applicant’s safety and well-being. Both parties must respect each other and work towards a peaceful resolution especially for the sake of the children. Chikuni is hereby refrained from assaulting, threatening or verbally abusing the applicant in any form,” she said.
