Gibson Mhaka
WHEN women beat up their spouses or lovers no one wants to believe it.
A Bulawayo man, Innocent Tawiringana Chitura, seems to have opened a can of worms after he claimed he had suffered verbal, emotional and physical abuse from his estranged wife Sibusisiwe Khumalo who constantly comes to his workplace and house to harass him.
A self-employed Chitura who apparently could no longer stand the abuse said Khumalo who is employed as a nurse at a private clinic in Barham Green, at one time came to his workplace and caused a scene when she jumped over a counter which is about 1,3 metres high before she physically assaulted him.
He said so dramatic is Khumalo that she also throws stones and breaks into his vehicle adding that their problems started after he annulled their customary marriage some time in September 2018.
“I have suffered physical, emotional, and verbal abuse from my ex-spouse. The incidents took place on 14 April and 4 June this year at my workplace and residence respectively.
“I am now seeking a restraining order that stops her from coming to my workplace, house and that also stops her from insulting me,” begged Chitura who is now married to another woman.
He further said his estranged wife was also inciting their children to go against him. Khumalo, who didn’t come to court, but was being represented by her lawyer was not opposed to the granting of the order.
“The respondent is not totally opposed to the granting of the protection order sought by the applicant as it will not affect her. This is because they are going through the process of divorce. Applicant should, however, clarify the owner of the house since the property was acquired during the subsistence of their union and as such both parties are entitled to it as their residence,” reads in part submissions by Khumalo’s lawyer.
Her lawyer maintained that though the two parties were now living separately their customary union was still subsisting.
He added: “The parties had initially agreed that they will move into the property after its completion. So our bone of contention is that he (Chitura) has since moved in with another woman and he is now trying, through his application for a protection order, to bar the respondent from moving into that house also.”
He also pleaded with the court to grant a reciprocal order saying Chitura should also not be allowed anywhere near his client’s workplace and lodgings.
His plea was, however, dismissed by the presiding magistrate Sheunesu Matova who said there was no basis that warranted the court to make a reciprocal order since there was no evidence that his client was being provoked by the applicant.
The magistrate went on to order Khumalo not to physically assault or threaten her estranged husband with any form of violence. She was also ordered to stay away from his workplace.
