Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A DISTRAUGHT woman from Watsomba has turned to Chief Mutasa’s community court for solace, seeking an end to her husband’s two-year affair with a local side chick that has left her marriage on the brink of collapse.
Monica Mapise told the court that her lawfully wedded husband, Sylvester Mapise, had abandoned their family to cohabit with a local hairdresser known as Nono.
She recounted how Nono would humiliate her publicly, hurling insults, claiming she does not bath, whenever she pleaded with her to leave her husband alone.
“I have had enough of her verbal abuse and public humiliation. This woman has destroyed my marriage. We both live in Watsomba — and she has been staying with my husband for two years now. I married him in 2015, and I still wear my wedding ring, but he has taken his off. She mocks me in front of people, telling me that I do not bath, and people now think I do not bath. I suspect it is my husband who told her that I do not bath. How can I be degraded like that by someone who knows I am a legally wedded wife?” quipped Monica, fighting back tears as she sought redress, and an end to the affair that has ravaged her marriage.
Her testimony took a heart-wrenching turn when she revealed the devastating impact of her husband’s infidelity on their children.
Monica’s voice cracked as she recounted her husband’s lavish spending on his mistress, including purchasing a residential stand.
“My children were forced to drop out of school due to unpaid fees, and we are drowning in fees arrears. He has abandoned his paternal responsibilities, leaving us without food or support. It is unbearable to see my children starving while he celebrates with another woman, who he has even bought a residential stand for at Manica Bridge. To add insult to injury, she threw him a birthday party. It breaks my heart that his children sleep hungry, while another woman celebrates him,” she said, overcome with emotion.
Monica also lamented the neglect of her emotional and marital needs.
“I yearn for a husband who fulfils his marital obligations, but whenever I seek for intimacy, he rejects me, saying he is not interested or that I must wait. I implore him to be honest with me today in this court, and admit if he no longer loves me. I deserve the truth, no matter how painful it may be,” she appealed.
Sylvester remained unmoved, callously declaring that he no longer loved Monica, and blaming her for failing in her wifely duties.
“Should I be forced to stay with someone I no longer love? She has no respect for my family. My mother is bed-ridden, but she does nothing to help. A wife who despises her in-laws is not the kind of woman I want. I no longer love her, and I am not ashamed to say it openly. At one point, she tried to use love portions on me, but I caught her in the act. Why would I want to remain in that kind of marriage?” he quipped, as he openly declared his affection for Nono.
“I now love Nono so much because she looks after my mother. This other woman follows me to bars around 8pm, creating scenes and embarrassing me. She must accept that I no longer love her,” he said before his sister, Stella Mapise, weighed in to support him.
“I am shocked that Monica brought this matter before this court without ever reporting any issues to me as her aunt. The truth is, my brother now stays with his new found lover at his workplace, and when he tries to return home, Monica denies him entry, telling him to leave. That is the truth,” she said.
Villagers gathered for the hearing listened in stunned silence as accusations and counter-accusations flew between the two warring sides.
Chief Mutasa ruled that Monica remains Sylvester’s lawful wife and advised her to pursue legal action at the civil court.
“ You are still married to him under a union that does not allow him to be with another woman. As his lawfully wedded wife, you have grounds to sue this woman for adultery damages. You can also sue any other lovers he has taken. Your husband must decide – either make amends with you, support his family, or formally divorce you and provide a divorce token. He cannot continue disrespecting the marriage by openly staying with another woman,” said Chief Mutasa.
Chief Mutasa also reminded Sylvester of his paternal responsibilities.
“You cannot abandon your children. Regardless of whether you stay with their mother or not, you must provide for their upkeep,” he said.
