Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu and Tendai Vambe
A 43-YEAR-OLD Chikanga woman has been granted a protection order and maintenance against her husband following serious allegations of physical assault, verbal abuse, harassment and threats.
The ruling was delivered at the Mutare Civil Court by Mrs Thandiwe Sibanda, who heard testimony from Memory Phiri, who told the court that her husband, Zachariah Phiri (53), repeatedly subjected her to violence and mistreatment over a prolonged period.
In her application, Memory said her husband had a pattern of assaulting her “whenever he pleases,” using objects such as rocks and other harmful materials. She told the court that the alleged abuse was not limited to physical attacks, but included daily insults and vulgar language directed at her.
“Your worship, I am tired of this man. Yes, he is my husband, but the way he treats me is not pleasant. He assaults me and uses vulgar language whenever we have a small misunderstanding,” she said.
Memory said the abuse often took place at their urban residence in Chikanga, where she alleged that neighbours frequently became aware of their private disputes because of the loud arguments.
“I cannot even walk around the neighborhood anymore because everyone knows how he treats me. I am ashamed, and I have since moved to our rural homestead near 22 Miles where I feel safer from people’s judgment,” said Memory, adding that she could no longer endure the constant insults.
“He acts like he is possessed when he beats me and no one can seem to stop him. Even his family cannot control him.”
Memory said she had previously sought legal help against her husband in 2019, indicating that the alleged violence was ongoing and unresolved for several years. She also told the court she suspected her husband was unfaithful, a situation she said had strained their marriage significantly.
Memory said the couple no longer shared intimate relations, which often led to disputes.
“Whenever he is home, I try to communicate with him that we should have sex as married couple, but he denies and sometimes becomes violent,” she said.
In his defence, Zachariah denied all allegations, dismissing his wife’s claims as untrue.
He described her in court as dishonest and said they often argued over access to his cellphone.
“She is a liar; vending ladies are problematic,” he said, referring to his wife’s occupation.
“The fact that she touches my cellphone makes us argue, and she has assumptions which are false,” he said.
Zachariah also told the court that he had been working away from home for a while – specifically in Mozambique – and when he returned, he had confronted Memory about his salary savings, which he claimed she had failed to account for during his absence.
“When I went away to work in Mozambique, I left all my financial cards. Recently, I confronted her about the money so that we can buy goats, she failed to produce any money,” he told the court.
Memory countered this claim, arguing that she had used the funds for the upkeep of their 10-year-old child, a responsibility she said was her priority.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Mrs Sibanda granted the protection order in favour of Memory.
The court also issued a maintenance order requiring Zachariah to pay US$80 per month towards the welfare of their child.
The order is intended to safeguard Memory’s well-being and provide for their child’s basic needs, amid an ongoing family dispute now under legal protection.
