Online Reporter
Fidelis Chavarike
Weekender Reporter
A WOMAN from Hobhouse, Batsirai Kachiwe, appeared at the Mutare Civil Court seeking for a protection order against her ex-husband, Moffatt Matadza and his girlfriend.
The two appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Purity Gumbo, where Kachiwe said her ex-hubby insults, assaults and harasses her and her children.
“We were together for eight years, and has been cheating on me, spending money on his girlfriend while we suffered at home.
“I decided to move on, and when he found out about it, he assaulted me. That day he found some love texts on my phone and forcibly grabbed it.
“He transferred the messages to his 14-year-old son’s phone while he was assaulting me,” said Kachiwe, adding that the abuse has been ongoing, dating back to when they were staying together.
“When we were together, he used to assault me, but never paid any bride price or meet my relatives. I once told his mother about his behaviour, but she said I was the one who forced my way into his life.
“Matadza and I don’t have children together, but we both have children from our previous marriages. He harasses my children and me. He assaults me in front of the children,” added Kachiwe.
Matadza disputed every account, arguing that he did not know why they separated.
“I am hearing it now that she is no longer interested in this relationship. I obtained a loan from the bank for her child who had 20 points at ‘A’ Level, and I am stuck because we were staying together. I do not have anywhere to go,” he said.
He said she should have told him earlier about the situation, not in court.
“Your worship, I have accrued many debts because of her, and I have just heard that I should move out because she is no longer interested in me. I do not assault her like what she claims.”
However, Kachiwe said she thought the loan was obtained out of love and to help the children, but she can pay it back if he wants it.
“I can pay back the loan, but when he obtained the loan, I wanted to sell my car. He insisted that we keep it. Later on, he started selling the car parts and took my new HP laptop. I also did more — it is not as if I was in this relationship to benefit from him.
“I am seeking a protection order against him and his girlfriend so that their insults and harassments could stop. His girlfriend jeers at me when we meet, and it looks like she would be provoking me,” she said.
Ms Gumbo granted the protection order in favour of Kachiwe.
“The protection order is hereby granted to Kachiwe — the respondent is barred from insulting, assaulting and harassing her. For other matters concerning money and assets, seek legal advice so as to solve the matter with peace,” she said.
