Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A PENHALONGA man has accused his wife of practising witchcraft after she developed a bizarre habit of leaving their matrimonial bedroom at midnight.
The claims surfaced at Chief Mutasa’s community court, where Edson Marima described a string of “strange and disturbing” incidents that, he said, destroyed his affection for his wife, Nhamoyevana Chirumiko.
Marima told the court the ordeal began on February 15, when Chirumiko abruptly declared a change in their marriage.
“At midnight, she woke up and told me she no longer wanted me to sleep with her. She said if I wanted another wife, I could marry one, because she could no longer fulfil her duties.
“She even claimed that whenever she was intimate with me, she felt like a demon,” Marima said, adding that the shocking statement drove him to alert her relatives.
But the strangeness did not end there.
“The following night, again at midnight, she went outside. I looked for her, but could not find her. Since then, it has become routine.
“Every night she leaves our bedroom and sleeps in the kitchen, her head positioned by the door. When I call her, she becomes violent,” he testified.
Marima said his wife only returns to the bedroom after 1am, a behaviour he described as “very weird” and “spiritual,” prompting him to bring the matter before the traditional court.
Marima further told the court that their child had also raised concerns after noticing the mother’s nightly movements.
“One day, our son came to me and said he had asked his mother why she leaves the bedroom every midnight. He told me that she said she sees a person standing by the door every night, and that is why she leaves the bedroom,” he said.
The situation, he said, worsened when his wife later left their home under false pretences.
“She eventually left for her father’s home after telling me that her father had called her. On March 3, I called her father to ask when she would be coming back, but he told me that she had lied.
“When I explained to him what she had been doing at night for the past month, he told me that she was doing the same thing there,” said Marima, further claiming that the developments had eroded his trust in the marriage.
“Because of all this, I am no longer interested in continuing with this marriage. I am now living in fear and confusion. I cannot stay with someone whose behaviour I do not understand,” he said.
However, Chirumiko dismissed the allegations of witchcraft, instead painting a picture of a troubled and abusive marriage that has taken a toll on her mental wellbeing.
“Ever since I got married to this man, I have always wanted to run away from him. This has been an abusive marriage,” she told the court, accusing Marima of subjecting her to emotional and physical abuse, which contributed to her current actions.
“This man shouts and assaults me. My mental health is not okay when I am around him. That is why I leave the bedroom at night,” said Chirumiko, adding that her feelings for her husband had changed irreversibly.
“I no longer love this man. I just want to leave this marriage and have peace in my life,” she said.
Chirumiko did not directly address the claims that she sees a figure at night, but maintained that her actions were driven by fear and distress rather than any spiritual practice.
Chief Mutasa urged the couple to seek resolution within the family structure, rather than escalating the dispute.
“This is a matter that requires guidance from elders and family members. You must sit down with your families and try to resolve your differences.
“Marriage is built on understanding, and when challenges arise, they should first be addressed within the family,” he said, adding that both parties appeared to be dealing with deeper issues that needed careful handling.
“There are clear signs of mistrust and emotional strain in this marriage. Accusations of this nature are serious and can further damage relationships if not handled properly. It is important that both sides are heard and that elders help you find the truth and a way forward,” said Chief Mutasa.
