Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A HARARE woman won a protection order after she broke her silence over the abuse she has suffered over the past five years at the hands of her jealous ex-husband.
Beauty Musekiwa sought legal protection after being allegedly physically abused, harassed and losing her property to her jealous ex-husband, Murwira Mandivengerei, who has been in denial that their relationship was over.
Musekiwa told the Harare Civil Court magistrate Mr Ashton Dube on Wednesday that Mandivengerei had made her life miserable since their separation.
Musekiwa narrated how the abuse started soon after their separation five years ago.
“I am afraid that one day he might kill me. He threatens me, yet he has a new family,” she said.
What began as a peaceful breakup after years of marital challenges reportedly turned into a nightmare of intimidation.
According to her testimony, Mandivengerei allegedly could not accept that Musekiwa had moved on with her life and found happiness with another man.
At first, she said she thought Mandivengerei was struggling to come to terms with the end of their marriage and gave him time to heal. However, she soon realised that his jealousy had grown into an obsession.
For years, Musekiwa said, her former husband tormented her both physically and emotionally, visiting her home uninvited, stealing groceries and household property, and even threatening her new partner.
She told the court that every time she tried to rebuild her life, Mandivengerei would reappear to disturb her peace, accusing her of betraying him and moving on too quickly.
“He does not want to see me happy. Every time I buy something for my home, he comes to take it away. He says I should not enjoy life with another man while he is still alive.
“He even steals my groceries and gives them to his new wife just to hurt me,” she said.
He allegedly followed her around, showed up at her workplace, and even insulted her in front of others.
In her application for a protection order, Musekiwa explained that Mandivengerei would physically assault her whenever he found her talking to another man or suspected that she was in a new relationship.
“He would grab me by the neck, slap me, and accuse me of humiliating him, shouting that I was bringing boyfriends into our matrimonial home.”
The court also heard that Mandivengerei had remarried but continued to harass his ex-wife.
“For five years, I have suffered in silence. He thought I would never stand up for myself, but I realised that silence only gave him more power. I am glad I finally found the courage to speak,” she told the court.
In his response, Mandivengerei denied the allegations of physical abuse but admitted taking some of Musekiwa’s belongings, claiming that they were items he had bought during their marriage.
“Those things are mine, I have a right to them. I only took what belongs to me,” he argued.
He told the court that he will not accept the divorce until it is done traditionally, and therefore, Musekiwa should not bring men into their home.
The presiding magistrate expressed concern over the matter by advising Mandivengerei that separation meant each person had the right to live independently and peacefully.
The order was granted in favour of Musekiwa, and she was assured that no one was going to evict her from the house.
He advised Mandivengerei to stay away from Musekiwa’s residence and to return any property that did not legally belong to him.
