Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A HARARE woman, Charity Mukombe, hauled her husband, Amos Chikuyi, to court, accusing him of destroying their household property and harassing her due to his drug addiction.
She said her husband’s behaviour had severely affected their lives.
Mukombe claims that Chikuyi regularly destroys their household items, including cupboards and plates, and sells them without her consent.
“I am only left with a few things. He breaks my kitchen cupboards and sells my property, squandering the money with his girlfriend,” she said.
She described an incident where a stranger visited their home demanding a refrigerator that Chikuyi had sold to fund his betting habits. Mukombe expressed fear for her safety.
“It now seems like I am living with a mental patient since he is behaving strangely. At times, he hits me with objects while under the influence of drugs.”
Mukombe said that she tries to hide money to prevent her husband from buying drugs.
However, when he returns home, he becomes aggressive, throwing her clothes outside and demanding that she leaves the house.
“He spits in my face, saying he will kill me if I do not leave our matrimonial home,” Mukombe added.
She voiced her concern for their children, noting that they were no longer safe due to Chikuyi’s erratic behaviour, which includes harassing them even in the middle of the night.
She explained that their family is now in debt because of Chikuyi’s actions, including taking neighbours’ property, which has strained their relationship.
In his defence, Chikuyi denied the allegations, claiming that Mukombe was the violent one.
“Being drunk is not a crime, but she is lying about the drugs. She assaults and insults me every day using obscene words,” he said.
He argued that he is responsible for the family’s upkeep and deserves respect as her husband.
Chikuyi said that Mukombe frequently reports trivial matters to the police to embarrass him.
After hearing both parties, the court ruled in favour of Mukombe.
Magistrate Ms Meenal Narotam issued an order to Chikuyi, warning him to cease destroying household property and harassing his children.
