Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A Southlea Park woman, Ms Lilian Gwena, has obtained a protection order against her husband, Claudius Gatawa, following his violent attempts to demand a refund of the lobola he paid, along with allegations of sexual abuse and harassment.
In her testimony before Harare Civil Court magistrate, Ms Johanna Mukwesha, Ms Gwena detailed her husband’s behaviour.
“He always forces himself on me, harasses me and comes to my house unannounced, threatening to commit suicide,” she stated.
Despite her efforts to resolve their issues, Gatawa’s demeanour became increasingly aggressive.
The court learned that Gatawa was resorting to violence in his demand for the lobola refund.
Ms Gwena argued that he should address the matter with her parents, who received the lobola, rather than abusing her.
She said she felt unsafe, as Gatawa frequently threatened self-harm in her presence.
Her application included accusations of harassment, verbal abuse and sexual misconduct, emphasising that he should be barred from coming to her home.
However, Gatawa refuted the claims, suggesting that his mental health had been adversely affected by Ms Gwena.
He alleged that he was forced to leave their shared home after discovering intimate messages on her phone, indicating infidelity.
“I came across messages on her phone; she cannot deny it, she was cheating,” he claimed.
Gatawa expressed frustration, stating that he paid lobola and committed to this marriage, but now “she is treating me like a stranger.”
He maintained that he had never physically harmed Ms Gwena and only sought to preserve their marriage.
Ultimately, the court ruled in favour of Ms Gwena, issuing a protection order that prohibits Gatawa from sexually abusing, insulting or threatening her.
The magistrate emphasised the importance of resolving their issues peacefully and advised Gatawa against using violence to pursue his claims regarding the lobola refund.
Online Reporter