adminThulani Ndlovu Sunday News Correspondent
A BULAWAYO man is suing his girlfriend for $160 000 after she breached a “love contract” the two had signed.
Mr Mark Lenoury, a former US government contractor who worked in Sudan and Djibouti signed a “love contract” in 2011 with his girlfriend, Ms Vanessa Jansen van Vuuren of 17 Waterlea Road in Kingsdale, governing how Ms van Vuuren was to behave while Mr Lenoury was out of the country.
In terms of the “love contract” seen by Sunday News, Ms van Vuuren was prohibited from among other things, attending parties or any functions, using the internet, calling anyone other than Mr Lenoury, travelling by foot and leaving the couple’s dwellings without prior authorisation from Mr Lenoury.
In return, Mr Lenoury was to remit thousands of dollars to maintain and cover Miss van Vuuren’s living expenses.
According to Mr Lenoury, he remitted an average of $2 000 per month to Ms van Vuuren every month for living expenses and rent, which he alleges Ms van Vuuren abused through beer binging with her mother.
“I would send an average of $2 000 per month from Sudan to Vanessa for living expenses and I would pay rentals six months in advance. But when I returned, the landlord told me that there was rental owed,” Mr Lenoury said.
Mr Lenoury said when he lost his job and returned to the country, he found his girlfriend without savings, resulting in their eviction from their rented dwellings.
He then moved in with his girlfriend at his in-laws in 2012 at 17 Waterlea Crescent in Kingsdale where he still resides.
He told Sunday News that he has been issued with an eviction order to vacate the house.
“In April of this year, my in-laws started leaving without giving me reasons or telling me where they were moving to. Vanessa was the first to move out early last month. Last week I was issued with an eviction notice after a Mr Mashonga alleged that he had bought the house,” he said.
“What hurts me the most is that I am now being ill-treated after effecting renovations of more than $30 000 in that house.”
The “love contract” emphasised that no other persons were welcome in their home. “Our relationship is between me (Mark), our son and you (Vanessa) and no others. Severe emphasis that no other persons are welcome into our home and neither secret meetings at other locations,” reads the contract in part.
“We have our lives to plan and get on with without the disturbances from any other persons regardless who they are. The harshest of legal actions will be implemented toward any persons who attempt to disrupt our family, including you (Vanessa).”
The contract is full of bizarre clauses most of which are oppressive to Ms van Vuuren. Clause 12 of the contract prevents Ms van Vuuren from using the internet except while communicating with Mr Lenoury.
“Do not abuse the privilege of the internet. Internet equipment is provided only for communicating with me. Please be sure that the equipment is kept away from direct sunlight.
“Telephonic communications are not permitted. However, if you should receive any disturbing communications please inform me immediately, by email, so I can take urgent legal action.”
“For the purposes of financial accountability, all receipts are to be retained and presented to me. Do not waste any money. Any finances allocated to any other purposes beside us, will result in your criminal prosecution and any immediate refund of all finances to me.”
According to the summons filed at the Bulawayo High Court, Mr Lenoury was involved in a sexual relationship with Ms van Vuuren which resulted in the birth of two minor children born on 8 July 2011 and 23 October 2012.
The summons further allege that the second child is not the plaintiffs’ and he was duped into believing that he is the biological father.
“The plaintiff liquidated over $62 000 of his life savings on several occasions in maintaining the defendant, preparation of the birth of the second child, paying child minders, nurses, doctors and general up-keep of Ms van Vuuren and only to be told late this year that he is not the biological father of the child,” the summons read.
Mr Lenoury alleges that his human dignity has been violated, resulting in public humiliation.
“Defendant consequences have resulted in my family associating me with dumbness, foolishness and impotence. The actions of Ms van Vuuren degraded my dignity in society,” he summed.
Efforts to get a comment from Ms van Vuuren were fruitless.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu