Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A MUTARE man was left devastated after discovering that his wife allegedly paid money to her married lover’s wife in a bid to keep their illicit relationship hidden from him.
The startling revelations emerged before Chief Mutasa’s community court last Saturday, where Farai Chiroto dragged his wife, Enelesi Muchiko, and her alleged lover, Misheck Wafangepi, over an affair that reportedly unfolded right under his nose.
Chiroto said he had long been haunted by rumours that Muchiko was involved with Wafangepi, a married neighbour, but lacked evidence to confront them.
“This whole matter started with rumours. People kept telling me that this man was having an affair with my wife, but I had no proof,” said Chiroto.
His suspicions were only confirmed after learning that Wafangepi’s wife had allegedly caught the pair together and demanded compensation.
“I later discovered that his wife had caught them red-handed. When she confronted them, my wife and this man allegedly tried to pay her to keep the matter secret,” he said.
According to Chiroto, Wafangepi’s wife revealed that both parties were ordered to pay US$300 each as compensation after being caught.
“She confirmed everything to me. She said my wife was supposed to pay US$300 and her husband was also expected to pay US$300. My wife only paid US$80.
“What hurt me most was the reason for the payment. They were not paying because they were innocent. They were paying so that I would never find out,” he said.
Chiroto said when he initially confronted Wafangepi about the allegations, the neighbour denied everything.
“At first he acted as if nothing had happened. But I told him my wife had already revealed what had been going on. That is when he finally admitted it,” he said.
The betrayed husband further alleged that Wafangepi took advantage of his work schedule to sleep together in a tuckshop located within his own yard.
“This man knew my movements. He would wait for me to leave for work and my wife would close the tuckshop early. He would be intimate with my wife inside my own tuckshop, in my own yard.
“We are neighbours. That is what makes this even more painful,” charged Chiroto.
Wafangepi did not dispute the allegations.
“I started the relationship with his wife in February, and we were caught in May. We slept together twice.
“It happened in their tuckshop. I knew she was married and I am also married. I have a wife and two children,” he admitted.
Muchiko also admitted to the affair.
“I have four children with my husband and I admit that I cheated with Wafangepi,” she told the court.
In his ruling, Chief Mutasa condemned the affair, saying it had damaged two marriages and affected two families.
“You cannot solve a problem by paying someone to hide it. The truth eventually comes out.
“What happened here affected two families. There is a husband who was betrayed, and there is also a wife who discovered that her marriage was being interfered with,” said Chief Mutasa.
The chief ordered Muchiko to compensate Wafangepi’s wife with one beast or US$350 for damaging her marriage.
Wafangepi was ordered to compensate Chiroto with five head of cattle.
“Marriages should be protected. When people make such decisions, they must understand that their actions do not affect only two individuals. Children and entire families can suffer,” said Chief Mutasa.
