'His nephew raped me' - woman tells court

A Gutu woman last week tried to hide behind a finger by alleging that her husband's nephew raped her after she told the court that their relationship had gone sour because of the affair.

Appearing at the Harare Civil court, Henry Ushendibaba said his wife Nelly Matopodzi had been unfaithful during his stay in South Africa and sired a child with his nephew which resulted in their matrimonial problems.

"The problem is that she had a child with my nephew and when I came back she tried hiding it saying she was raped. We got counselling from relatives and I let her stay but I could not let the child live with us.

"She also sued me over maintenance for our minor children but we are staying together. She once ganged up with her sister to assault me. I thought we had settled our issues but I can see that she is still bitter," he said.
Nelly who sought a protection order against Henry accused him of harassment alleging that he physically, financially and verbally abuses her.

"Ever since he came back from South Africa this year after being away for eight years he has been harassing me.

Recently he chased me away from the house and I am staying with my sister. I have no integrity left.

"When he came back I apologised for what I had done in his absence and I accepted that he did not want to have the child of my unfaithfulness at his home. I do not ask him to take care of that child but he is always bringing up the incident while insulting me."
Nelly who ended up crying in court said she was tired of living in harassment and wanted to be protected by the courts.

Presiding magistrate, Barbra Mateko granted Nelly the protection order and advised both of them to resolve their matrimonial issues amicably.