Woman approaches court over abusive hubby

Danisa Masuku

SOMETIMES, seeking court intervention is prudent to prevent abuse before tragedy occurs. On Monday, Rosane Jena sought the intervention of the court to stop the abuse she has allegedly endured from her husband, Tapfuma Jena.

Narrating the ill-treatment she endured from Tapfuma, Rosane said, “My name is Rosane. I am married to Tapfuma, and we have two children, aged 14 and 18. I live at our homestead in Inyathi, while he resides at his workplace in Kingsdale. There is no peace at home.”

She revealed the source of their conflict. “Each time I visit him at his workplace in Kingsdale, where he works as a gardener, I find him with another woman or discover women’s clothing. When I confronted him about this, expressing my displeasure, he assaulted me instead of providing an explanation. He also insulted me with derogatory names.”

Rosane recounted a specific incident, stating, “He beat me and then evicted me from the house.

“I had no choice but to sleep at our neighbour’s home. When I returned the following day, he had left for work. In the evening, upon his return, he told me to sleep in the kitchen.”

According to her, the situation at home became unbearable as her husband refused to sleep with her.

Even attempts to discuss his denial of conjugal rights were unsuccessful.

Seeing that the situation was not improving, Rosane approached the Bulawayo Civil Court and applied for a protection order.

In her affidavit, she stated, “I am applying for a protection order against my husband, who habitually insults me. He sometimes physically assaults me without reason.

“I used to live at our rural home, but last year I decided to move here because I repeatedly found him with other women or discovered women’s clothing in our bedroom. When I questioned him, he assaulted me. He also refuses to sleep with me.”

Tapfuma did not attend the court session.

Presiding magistrate Shepherd Mjanja, granted Rosane a protection order, which prohibits Tapfuma from verbally and physically abusing her. The order is valid for 12 months.