Man abandons family for secret lover

A Sakubva man has been accused of abandoning his wife and three children for a secret lover, leaving the family in emotional and financial distress. The situation came to light at the Mutare Civil Court where Olivia Mangwende sought US$150 in monthly maintenance for the upkeep of their children from her estranged husband, Justice Mangwende.

The case was heard before Mutare Magistrate Mr. Xavier Chipato, who ruled in Olivia's favour, granting the maintenance claim of US$150 for the children's welfare and their school fees.

Olivia, visibly emotional, told the court that her husband had abandoned her and their children two months ago without any prior warning. She revealed that since his departure, she has struggled to make ends meet, taking on odd jobs to provide for the children. She also expressed her emotional pain and shock, especially after discovering that Justice had recently appeared in the community with a car, despite having previously claimed that he lost everything in a robbery.

"I am still grappling with the devastating reality that my husband abandoned me and our children. Since then, I have been fighting to make ends meet," Olivia said in court. "What is even more shocking is that he showed up with his car, even though he told me he had lost everything. It is clear that he has been living a lie, and the truth is slowly unraveling."

Olivia further explained that rumors had circulated suggesting that Justice had been staying with a girlfriend in Dangamvura. "People claim that he was blinded by a love potion, making him forget his family," she said. "While I am not concerned about the rumors, I am worried about the well-being of our children. He has been lying about his whereabouts, claiming he was working 24/7, but the truth is that he has been living with his girlfriend. He's abandoned his family, and that's the most disturbing part."

She urged the court to ensure that Justice takes responsibility for his actions and provides for their children's future, including paying for their school fees. "He should prioritize his family's needs and take responsibility for the children's well-being," Olivia stated.

In response, Justice Mangwende strongly denied having an extramarital affair and dismissed the allegations as unfounded. He explained that he had been staying at his workplace due to circumstances beyond his control, and accused Olivia of making baseless accusations against him. "I have been staying at my workplace due to circumstances that I cannot explain, but I have not been living with another woman," he argued.

Justice admitted that while he may have "flirted" with other women in the past, his commitment to his family remained unchanged. "As a man, I am not perfect, but I assure you that I would never compromise my family's well-being for an affair," he said. "The reason I stopped coming home was because my wife became hostile towards me, falsely accusing me of infidelity."

Despite the marital tensions, Justice insisted that he was still willing to provide for his children's education and well-being. "I am committed to providing for my family and ensuring that the children's school fees are paid," he stated, urging the court to consider his willingness to support his children.

In his ruling, Magistrate Mr. Xavier Chipato granted the maintenance order of US$150 per month, which Justice Mangwende must pay for the children's upkeep until they reach the age of 18. The magistrate also emphasized the importance of resolving the couple's differences for the sake of their children. "I hereby grant the maintenance in the sum of US$150, and you will pay school fees for the children until they are 18 years old," Mr. Chipato said. "I advise that you fix your differences for the sake of the children. From what you both said, I do not think it's worth the separation."

The court ruling brings temporary relief to Olivia and her children, but the emotional and financial toll of the abandonment remains a heavy burden for the family.