Man says wife was a 'token of appeasing avenging spirits'

A Harare man yesterday stunned the court when he said he would not pay maintenance to his former wife because she was given to him as a token to appease an avenging spirit that was tormenting her family.

Stanley Nyakapenga said this at the Harare Civil Courts where he was brought by his former wife Nunurai Sagoche who was claiming an undisclosed amount of money as maintenance fees.

"She was my wife and was given to me to appease an avenging spirit that had tormented their family. I am supporting the child and there is no need for me to support her.

"There is no reason for me to support 'mukadzi wekuripa ngozi'. Her parents are the ones who are supposed to pay me.

"We separated after she looted my property to her parents' place. We have a 12 year-old child and I am currently married to another woman with whom I have another child.

"I have many responsibilities including my parents whom I give groceries every month and my late sister's children who depend on me. I am a vendor who earns US$50 per month and I have no other means that give me money," Nyakapenga said.

Sagoche had said she wanted maintenance since Nyakapenga was gainfully employed.

"He is employed as a private security guard in Chisipite and he can manage what I want. I can bring proof to the court to prove that he can afford to maintain the two of us," she said.

Magistrate Ms Tatenda Manhazva ordered Sagoche to bring documentation to prove that Nyakupenga was gainfully employed and postponed the matter to today (tomorrow) for ruling.