Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A HARARE couple was granted a reciprocal order after their marital dispute, which emanated from accusations of mistrust, years of abuse and harassment tied to the alleged ownership of properties.
Narrating her story before Harare Civil Court Magistrate Johanna Mukwesha, Sithabile Mahubaba claimed that her husband, Tafadzwa Muzondo, has been abusing her over her properties.
“He physically and verbally abuses me. The issue is that we separated, and he still wants me back in his life so he can seize the house for which I worked,” she said.
Mahubaba told the court that Muzondo had become increasingly controlling and abusive, especially whenever issues concerning her property were raised.
She claimed that throughout their marriage, she worked tirelessly to establish herself, acquiring assets that she says Muzondo now wants to take over arguing they are matrimonial properties.
According to her, instead of celebrating her hard work, Muzondo turned bitter and used threats, verbal insults, and even physical abuse to intimidate her.
“Our children know that he is abusive. What pains me the most is that he involves our minor children in our marital battles.
Mahubaba also claimed that as a teacher, she no longer focuses on her work and that her children’s grades are poor due to their father’s behaviour.
“For 15 years, I have endured insults, humiliation and abuse, all because I tried to secure something for myself and my children.”
As she recounted her experiences, Mahubaba added that Muzondo often accused her of hiding her wealth and being secretive about her properties. She insisted everything she owned was acquired through her own efforts.
Mahubaba further alleged that her husband did not respect her privacy, often going through her personal life and questioning her movements.
“He treats me as if I am a stranger in my own home,” she said.
Mahubaba pleaded with the court to stop Muzondo from abusing her and the children, claiming that she has documents proving her ownership of the house.
In his submissions, Muzondo denied abusing his wife, saying Mahubaba was painting him in a bad light to gain sympathy.
“I met her when she was on attachment in 2009 and married her the following year. I was responsible for her education to post-graduate qualifications.
“I am the reason behind her success. Since I had money those years, I groomed her until now and she is doing this to me,” said Muzondo.
He argued that as a husband, he had every right to know about his wife’s financial dealings, especially since they had been married for more than a decade.
“I am her husband. I deserve to know the truth about these properties she claims to own. She is keeping secrets from me and treating me like an outsider,” he said.
Muzondo raised an alarming incident where he claimed that Mahubaba took their 14-year-old child to visit her boyfriend and friends in Chitungwiza.
“I only reprimanded her as she was instilling bad behaviour in the children. She is the one who emotionally damaged our children,” he claimed.
Muzondo pointed out that at one point, he saw a video of his wife dancing at a show with another man.
He told the court that he was against the idea of being evicted from the matrimonial property.
The court heard that since 2017, when his wife started working and was well-paid, she began changing and now has the habit of coming home around midnight every day.
Muzondo maintained that he would continue to fight for what he believes is his rightful share, claiming that the house is matrimonial property.
Despite Muzondo’s defence, Mahubaba remained firm in her submissions, saying she no longer felt safe in the house and that she owns the property.
She accused Muzondo of manipulating their long union to take control over her life and property, leaving her emotionally drained.
Mahubaba told the court that her only wish was to live in peace and protect what she had worked hard to build.
“Marriage should not mean losing yourself. It should not mean being silenced or stripped of your dignity. I just want my life back.”
After the testimonies, the magistrate, noting the hostility between the couple, granted a reciprocal order.
Both parties were ordered not to insult, assault, or harass each other, and any breach of the order would result in criminal charges.
Mahubaba was advised to seek the relevant court order for eviction.
