Man bashes wife over her income, property

A Mbare woman received legal protection from her allegedly abusive husband today after a Harare Civil Court granted her a protection order, bringing a temporary sense of relief to what she described as years of domestic torment.

Magistrate Ms Meenal Narotam issued the order in favour of Ms Jesca Mashumba of Stoddart, Mbare, following a dramatic court session in which she accused her husband, Mr Peter Munemo, of repeated physical abuse and financial exploitation.

Ms Mashumba told the court that her husband becomes violent every month when she receives her salary, demanding that she hand over all her earnings for his personal use - including for his alleged girlfriend.

"He abuses me saying that I should be giving him all my money so that he can squander it with his girlfriend," Ms Mashumba testified. "He forcibly takes all my pay and leaves me with nothing."

She further alleged that Mr Munemo threatened to kill her when she refused to hand over her income, harassed her in public, spat in her face, and damaged household property out of jealousy because she earns more than he does.

"I cannot continue to work hard for him and his girlfriend when I have children. He must not physically abuse me over my income," she added, expressing frustration at enduring repeated violence.

Ms Mashumba revealed that Mr Munemo had been arrested three times for domestic violence in the past, but his behaviour had not changed, prompting her to seek legal protection.

In his defence, Mr Munemo denied the abuse allegations, accusing his wife of disrespect and secrecy over her earnings.

"I only ask her to help me with her money. I'm the one who pays the bills," he told the court. "She is very stingy even when it comes to buying food."

Mr Munemo claimed that it was Ms Mashumba who was violent, alleging that she once stoned and injured him during a dispute.

Despite his denials, the magistrate ruled in favour of Ms Mashumba, granting her a protection order. Mr Munemo was ordered to cease all forms of abuse - physical, emotional, and financial - and was prohibited from taking or demanding his wife's income.

The case highlights ongoing concerns over domestic violence in Zimbabwe, particularly regarding financial control and gender-based abuse within households.