Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A MUTASA man accused of wrecking his best friend’s marriage by engaging in an affair with his wife, is now alleged to be shamelessly bragging about the incident.
He claims his friend effectively pimped out his own wife and even boasts that he bribed Chief Mutasa to escape punishment.
When Kudzai Mutimbanyoka reappeared before Chief Mutasa’s community court last Saturday.
He argued that what began as a complicated love triangle between himself, his wife, Beverley Chiwanga and his former best friend, Life Chidakwa, has escalated into a public scandal.
The former best friends initially appeared before the same court in January, where Chidakwa was fined by Chief Mutasa for engaging in an affair with his friend’s wife.
Despite the court’s earlier ruling, ordering Chidakwa to pay compensation for wrecking his friend’s marriage, new allegations suggest that he has since embarked on a campaign to not only flaunt the affair, but also publicly degrade Mutimbanyoka’s reputation.
“He was my friend, but now he is spreading malicious rumours that I pimp my wife out for financial gain. He is ridiculing me in front of our mutual friends, claiming I exploit my wife as a means to make money. As a result, I have been forced to distance myself from all our friends, as my reputation has been irreparably damaged, despite being the innocent party. His actions are not only disrespectful, but also wicked. If he refuses to pay me the outstanding balance, I will take matters into my own hands,” said a visibly angry Mutimbanyoka in court.
Mutimbanyoka was referring to the US$300 balance Chidakwa still owes in damages, following an earlier court order to pay four cattle, a goat and cockerel as compensation for having an affair with his friend’s wife under false promises of college tuition and a flat in town.
Chidakwa allegedly boasts about his actions, claiming he “tasted the forbidden fruit” and taught Mutimbanyoka a lesson by sleeping with his wife.
However, Chidakwa’s purported behaviour following the ruling has exacerbated the situation, with allegations that he is now parading himself as a ladies’ man and undermining the court’s integrity.
Chie Mutasa was equally upset by his behaviour.
“He believes he is above the law. I have video evidence of him claiming he paid me to avoid being summoned back to this court. The disrespect is staggering. He even had the audacity to climb onto a car at a party, shouting that he paid me off, and that money can buy anything. I have seen the video myself, which is circulating. His friends were even addressing him as ‘mudhara’ in the video,” said Chief Mutasa.
Chidakwa, who remained largely silent during the hearing, only spoke when prompted by the Chief.
“I never said I paid you, Chief. Regarding the allegations of bragging, people are simply twisting things,” he said softly.
However, the Chief was unconvinced.
“You have brought this court into disrepute. You are tarnishing my reputation and mocking my authority. Even if you were intoxicated, why were you shouting about me? Why were you referring to yourself as ‘mudhara’ because you sleep with other man’s wives? This is not something we take lightly,” Chief Mutasa declared.
Chief Mutasa warned that if Chidakwa failed to pay the remaining US$300 by Wednesday, the court would order the attachment of his vehicle.
“This is your final warning. This court has attempted to treat you with respect, but you are behaving like a spoiled child. The money must be paid. If not, your car will become the property of this court,” he said.
“This is your final warning. This court has attempted to treat you with respect, but you are behaving like a spoiled child. The money must be paid. If not, your car will become the property of this court,” he said.
When they first appeared in court, Mutimbanyoka recounted how Chidakwa had taken advantage of his trust and begun to lure his wife, Chiwanga, away with empty promises.
Despite Mutimbanyoka confiding in Chidakwa about his marital issues, the latter exploited this trust to seduce Chiwanga.
The once-strong friendship between the two men began to fracture as Chidakwa offered Chiwanga free joyrides and made empty promises to fund her college education, a prospect Mutimbanyoka had previously opposed.
The matter ultimately escalated to Chief Mutasa’s court, where Chidakwa was ordered to pay Mutimbanyoka damages consisting of four head of cattle, one goat, and one cockerel as recompense for his betrayal.
Mutimbanyoka recounted how Chidakwa had exploited his trust by enticing his wife with promises of a better life.
“He was aware that I opposed sending my wife to college, but he made promises to her nonetheless, even offering to rent her accommodation,” said Mutimbanyoka.
He revealed how his best friend had secretly taken his wife on joyrides around Mutare, spending time with her in secluded areas.
What cut deepest, according to Mutimbanyoka, was Chidakwa’s brazen flaunting of the affair in front of him.
Adding to his pain was the humiliation Chidakwa inflicted by gifting his wife a cap, which Mutimbanyoka unknowingly wore in public.
“Each time I wore that cap, he mocked me in front of others, calling me a useless man who wears his wife’s clothes. He would laugh at me and I always wondered how he knew it belonged to my wife,” explained Mutimbanyoka.
The betrayal began to unravel when Mutimbanyoka intercepted love messages between the two.
Chiwanga and Chidakwa both admitted to being in a relationship.
