Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A Harare woman has secured a protection order against her husband, accusing him of abuse and threats aimed at silencing her.
Stembiso Kansanga (55) detailed the physical and emotional abuse she has endured from her husband, Premier Suspense (59), who has never forgiven her for not being a virgin at the time of their marriage.
“He told me he wasted his money and time marrying me. He insults me in front of our children, neighbours and even our church leaders. He calls me worthless and claims I tricked him into marriage,” she stated.
According to Kansanga, Suspense has used this issue as justification for years of cruelty and psychological torment. She testified that he is not only emotionally abusive but has also deprived her of financial support, restricted her social movements and threatened her with violence on multiple occasions.
Kansanga described how her husband frequently returned home intoxicated, accused her of infidelity and destroyed household property.
“Just last month, he smashed the television and broke kitchen cupboards after accusing me of hiding money from him. He insists that I don’t deserve anything from him because I came ‘used,’” she said.
Suspense is also accused of lamenting that he would have lived a better life had he married a virgin.
Kansanga explained how this conflict has affected their relationship and disrupted the family’s peace.
She reported that their children who are now adults had pleaded with their father to stop the verbal and emotional abuse, but he dismissed their concerns, claiming it was a matter between him and his wife.
“I stayed for the sake of the children, but now that they are grown up, I fear for my health and sanity. I no longer feel safe in my own home, as he threatens to kill me if I continue to stay,” Kansanga said.
“He feels justified in abusing me because of a cultural expectation that was not met more than three decades ago,” she added.
In his defence, Suspense denied ever physically assaulting his wife but did not dispute making comments about her virginity. He claimed he often caught her with boyfriends, making it difficult for him to forgive her.
“I only speak the truth. She knows what she did to me. I sacrificed for her, and she deceived me from the beginning. How can I heal from that?” he argued.
“I have lived with her for 33 years. Now she lies that I want to kill her, yet she knows the truth,” Suspense said, suggesting that his wife’s behaviour prevents him from moving past the memories.
Presiding magistrate Ms Johanna Mukwesha said no cultural belief or marital disappointment justified emotional abuse or degradation of a spouse.
She warned Suspense to cease all abusive behaviour and to maintain peace at all times.
