Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter
AN Odzi man’s claim that his estranged wife hired assailants to attack him was dismissed by the court after he failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the allegations.
Ephraim Rwengwere, of Odzi, had sought a protection order against his estranged wife, Lorraine Kamupira, accusing her of persistent violence and hiring people to assault him.
However, Mutare magistrate, Mrs Thandiwe Sibanda dismissed Rwengwere’s application, citing lack of concrete evidence to substantiate his claims.
Rwengwere had told the court that his marriage to Kamupira had deteriorated due to constant misunderstandings, leading to their separation in December.
He alleged that Kamupira had told him she was no longer interested in the marriage.
The court heard that Rwengwere claimed to have been attacked, resulting in severe injuries, including passing blood-stained waste, but failed to provide sufficient proof linking the alleged attack to his estranged wife.
The magistrate ruled that Rwengwere’s allegations were not backed by credible evidence, leading to the dismissal of his application for a protection order.
“Your worship, this woman is very evil. Last year, I was beaten by soldiers she hired until I passed blood mixed with human waste,” said Rwengwere, further alleging that Kamupira had orchestrated another assault involving her mother and brother at their residence.
“Last year again, I was beaten by her mother and brother after she lied to them that I was bashing her, which I never did,” he said.
During the proceedings, Mrs Sibanda inquired about the status of the couple’s roora.
Rwengwere maintained that he had fully paid her bride price and had no outstanding arrears.
He added that some of the marital problems began when Kamupira suggested that they use separate bedrooms, an idea he strongly opposed.
“Your worship, how can a married woman talk of separating bedrooms? I cannot sleep in separate bedrooms with a woman I have married,” said Rwengwere.
Kamupira, however, disputed her husband’s version of events, telling the court that she was the one who had been chased out of the matrimonial home.
She said a major dispute had arisen in January 2025 while she was in Harare, when Rwengwere had allegedly phoned her claiming he had been prophesied to at a Masowe church that she was inserting traditional medicine into her private parts with the intention of causing him harm – allegations she denied.
“I was accused of using traditional medicine to harm him, claims he said were revealed through a Masowe prophecy, and I was shocked by these allegations,” Kamupira told the court, adding that following the dispute, she was chased from her matrimonial home with their four children, and was currently staying at a friend’s house.
Rwengwere argued that Kamupira was being mischievous, adding that she had previously obtained a protection order against him, and prompting him to seek similar legal protection.
However, when Mrs Sibanda asked whether Kamupira had personally assaulted him or directly caused him harm, Rwengwere failed to provide clear evidence.
He maintained that the assaults were carried out by soldiers allegedly hired by his wife, as well as by his in-laws.
In her ruling, Mrs Sibanda dismissed Rwengwere’s application for a protection order, citing his failure to prove that Kamupira had directly assaulted him.
The court also noted that the alleged soldier assault was not clearly outlined in his affidavits, rendering his claims insufficient to warrant legal protection.
