Online Reporter
Fidelis Chavarike
Weekender Reporter
A MUTARE woman, Ruth Pirikisi, was granted a protection order against her abusive hubby, Nigel Murapo, when the erstwhile couple appeared at the Mutare Civil Court last week.
Pirikisi and Murapo appeared before Mr Xavier Chipato who granted the protection order.
Pirikisi alleged that the abuse began in 2015, and continued intermittently, with Murapo finding ways to persuade her to return to him.
“Recently, on July 3, he assaulted me severely with his hands and a switch, leaving me in pain. The assault occurred behind closed doors, but I managed to escape and shouted for help.
“He chased me, using a switch to lash out at me until it broke. He dragged me back inside the house, shouting,” said Pirikisi, further claiming that Murapo confiscated her mobile phone, and did not visit or call her at the hospital, despite her relatives’ decision not to press charges against him.
“The assaulting has been happening on different occasions. Some years back, he gave my relatives two cattle — ‘mombe yeumai’ and ‘yedanga’ — and the issue seemed to have been settled. In 2015, when he discovered that I was pregnant with our third child, he chased me out of the house, claiming he did not want any more babies.
“He also assaulted me and did not even bother to prepare for the baby’s arrival until he learnt that it was a son,” she added.
Pirikisi further detailed the sequence of events she had endured.
Pirikisi testified that upon her return after giving birth, Murapo began exhibiting erratic behaviour.
“He took the holy water I received at church and discarded it, claiming it was for ritual purposes. His actions caused me significant stress, leading to high blood pressure. He would often shout obscenities at me,” she added.
In 2019, Murapo presented Pirikisi with a divorce token (gupuro), and they subsequently separated.
Murapo denied some of the allegations, arguing that they had been cohabiting until the recent assault incident, after which Pirikisi’s relatives intervened and took her away.
“Your worship, I did not chase her away — her relatives took her. I apologise to both her and her relatives for my actions. Although I may have overreacted, her words were harsh and constituted verbal abuse.
“She claimed I was possessed by evil spirits and required spiritual cleansing,” he said.
Murapo further alleged that Pirikisi had taken their children without his consent, and blamed him for their departure.
Mr Chipato granted the protection order in favour of Pirikisi.
“I hereby grant the protection order to the complainant. The respondent, Nigel Murapo, must refrain from physically or verbally abusing the complainant. Both parties are expected to maintain peace, and desist from any form of harassment or assault. This order shall remain in effect for a period of five years,” he ruled.
