Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter
A MUTASA man was shamed by the courts after his bid for a protection order against his former wife collapsed due to lack of supporting evidence, exposing deep-seated domestic disputes that played out in court.
The 49-year-old man, Kudzanai Chiremba, had approached the Mutare Civil Court seeking protection from Primrose Kateya, whom he described as his former girlfriend.
He alleged that Kateya was abusing drugs, becoming violent and hostile, and selling household property without his consent.
However, the court dismissed his application after finding that his claims were not supported by credible evidence.
The matter was heard before Ms Thandiwe Sibanda.
Chiremba told the court that Kateya’s alleged drug abuse had led to frequent outbursts and public humiliation, particularly at local shopping centres where he would meet friends.
“She insults me in public and causes scenes. Even after I chose to move out of the house to start a peaceful life, she still follows me to the shops and humiliates me in front of my friends,” said Chiremba.
He told the court that although he and Kateya share a child, he decided to leave their matrimonial home in June 2025 after prolonged humiliation linked to her behaviour.
“After I left the house, whenever she sees me at the shops she causes a scene, telling people that I am not man enough to satisfy her sexual desires,” he said.
Kateya, however, denied the allegations, insisting that she was not abusing drugs, disputing Chiremba’s version of events.
She told the court that Chiremba was her husband, not her boyfriend, adding that they had been married for more than 18 years.
She further alleged that she was the one who had suffered abuse at Chiremba’s hands, claiming she had fresh scars on her back from recent assaults.
“A lot has been happening in our marriage. I have gone through a lot of abuse from my husband,” she told the court.
Ms Sibanda called their 18-year-old daughter, Christabell Chiremba, to testify.
Christabell confirmed that her parents had been experiencing serious misunderstandings, and had separated for about seven months.
She told the court that her mother often demanded money and food for their upkeep, which her father allegedly refused to provide.
Christabell further alleged that her father was physically abusive towards her mother, recounting an incident in October when Chiremba and his friend allegedly assaulted Kateya.
Despite the testimony, Chiremba maintained his stance, further alleging that both Kateya and their daughter were abusing drugs.
Kateya also told the court that Chiremba took most of the household property, including clothes and blankets, and had destroyed the house they once lived in.
Christabell supported her mother’s claims during her testimony.
Ms Sibanda questioned Chiremba on his assertion that Kateya was selling household property, noting that he had already demolished the house.
Chiremba failed to provide a satisfactory explanation.
After considering the evidence, Ms Sibanda dismissed Chiremba’s application, citing lack of proof, including the absence of medical reports to support claims of assault.
“The applicant has failed to substantiate his allegations,” ruled Ms Sibanda, throwing out the protection order application.
