Death threats over maintenance order

A Harare man is reportedly threatening to kill his wife for refusing to withdraw a maintenance order, a Harare Civil Court heard yesterday.

Roya Chiedzo said Onismo Makoero was once arrested for not paying maintenance for the upkeep of their two children. Chiedzo was seeking a protection order against Makoero whom she said was in the habit of verbally and physically abusing her.

"Soon after he got released from prison he had been abusing me everyday threatening to kill me if I don't withdraw the maintenance order," she said.

Chiedzo told Harare Civil Court magistrate Mr Tafadzwa Muvhami that Makoero once attempted to strike her with an axe over the maintenance issue.

"He said the only way he was going to set himself free from paying maintenance was to kill me first. Ever since we separated we have been staying at the same house but in different rooms but whenever he is drunk he comes to my room destroying my property," she said.

Makoero denied the allegations and accused Chiedzo of fabricating stories.

"She is the one who is in the habit of teaming up with the children to physically and verbally abuse me," he said.

Makoero told Mr Muvhami that he also needed protection from Chiedzo and their children.

"I am not opposed to her application because I also need peace," Makoero said.

Mr Muvhami granted the order in Chiedzo's favour which barred Makoero from verbally or physically abusing her.

He ordered the two to keep peace towards each other at all times.