Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A MAN who has allegedly been economically abused by his wife for 10 years finally sought legal protection yesterday.
Tashinga Marufu (68) took the bold step of dragging his wife Loreta Marufu (64) to court, accusing her of subjecting him to 10 years of economic abuse.
“We have been married for 42 years, and it all started when I went on pension. My wife started treating me like trash in the house by taking my pension and only giving me US$16 per month,” Marufu said.
He said his wife deprived him of access to their shared finances, took over his earnings and left him dependent and powerless within his house.
According to Marufu, his wife would demand that all his monthly payouts be handed over to her since she was managing the family budget.
He accused his wife of squandering the money on personal luxuries while denying him basic necessities.
“I felt like a prisoner in my marriage. I thought I would enjoy the benefits of my sweat, but I’m suffering,” he mentioned.
He testified that after he finished building his house, his wife started assigning household duties to him.
Marufu claimed that he is now afraid of staying in his house after his wife threatened to kill him.
According to him, he is not allowed to communicate with his children who are abroad since his wife wants to enjoy the money they send alone.
“Whenever I try to speak up or suggest changes, she shuts me up with harsh words and accusations,” Marufu claimed.
He told the court that his wife dominates every decision, from finances to daily routines, reducing him to a background figure in a life he once helped build.
Marufu’s wife denied the allegations levelled against her, insisting that she never abused her husband economically or caused any violence within the home.
“I do not know anything, he has a girlfriend whom he wants to take care of, therefore, I discouraged him from using that money since we want to finish our building project,” she argued.
She maintained that the accusations were a deliberate attempt to tarnish her image and silence her demands since her husband is irresponsible.
According to her, she had always acted with respect and restraint, even during tense moments, and any claims suggesting otherwise were false and meant to discredit her.
The woman emphasised that her only concern was to receive what rightfully belonged to her since her husband had left her for another wife.
She argued that after 42 years of dedication and sacrifice in the marriage, she deserved a fair share of the property and was simply seeking justice, not revenge.
Presiding magistrate Ms Johanna Mukwesha granted Marufu a protection order while warning his wife to refrain from abusing him economically and harassing him.
