News / Local
Man returns home after 15 years, wrecks havoc
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A Harare woman, Fern Chiyanike, has approached the Civil Court seeking protection from her husband, who abandoned her and their children 15 years ago and has recently resurfaced, allegedly causing turmoil in their lives.
Chiyanike told Magistrate Ashton Dube that her husband, Gilbert Chiyanike, walked out on their marriage without explanation, leaving her to fend for herself and raise their children alone. She claims that since his return, he has threatened to evict her from their matrimonial home if she does not hand over rent payments collected from tenants.
"After abandoning me for 15 years, he is now back, and threatening to evict me from our home if I do not give him the money being paid by tenants," she said. "I have no peace since he is claiming that he will sell the house if I do not comply with his demands."
Fern said she struggled for over a decade to support her family, managing both emotional and financial responsibilities on her own. She expressed shock at her husband's sudden return and claims that he has accused her of owing debts to the Harare City Council and damaging the property.
"He left me thinking that I may die. I suffered raising the children alone while he was nowhere to be found," she said. "Now, after 15 years, he came back suddenly and wants to act like nothing happened. He has been harassing me, threatening me."
Fern has asked the court to issue a protection order preventing her husband from entering their home with violent intent or interfering with tenants. "I just want peace. I have lived without him for 15 years, and I am doing well on my own. I don't want to live in fear because of someone who abandoned me," she said.
Gilbert Chiyanike, through his lawyer, denied the allegations of harassment, claiming that the couple had been separated and that any questions about property and bills were reasonable. The lawyer presented documents relating to City Council debts, which Fern dismissed as fake.
Magistrate Dube granted a reciprocal order, urging both parties to pursue counselling and mediation to resolve the dispute, and instructed them to maintain peace while the matter continues.
Chiyanike told Magistrate Ashton Dube that her husband, Gilbert Chiyanike, walked out on their marriage without explanation, leaving her to fend for herself and raise their children alone. She claims that since his return, he has threatened to evict her from their matrimonial home if she does not hand over rent payments collected from tenants.
"After abandoning me for 15 years, he is now back, and threatening to evict me from our home if I do not give him the money being paid by tenants," she said. "I have no peace since he is claiming that he will sell the house if I do not comply with his demands."
Fern said she struggled for over a decade to support her family, managing both emotional and financial responsibilities on her own. She expressed shock at her husband's sudden return and claims that he has accused her of owing debts to the Harare City Council and damaging the property.
Fern has asked the court to issue a protection order preventing her husband from entering their home with violent intent or interfering with tenants. "I just want peace. I have lived without him for 15 years, and I am doing well on my own. I don't want to live in fear because of someone who abandoned me," she said.
Gilbert Chiyanike, through his lawyer, denied the allegations of harassment, claiming that the couple had been separated and that any questions about property and bills were reasonable. The lawyer presented documents relating to City Council debts, which Fern dismissed as fake.
Magistrate Dube granted a reciprocal order, urging both parties to pursue counselling and mediation to resolve the dispute, and instructed them to maintain peace while the matter continues.
Source - online
