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Woman sues estranged husband after 15-year abandonment
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A Harare woman has dragged her husband to court, accusing him of abandoning her and their children for 15 years before resurfacing to cause turmoil in their lives.
Fern Chiyanike told Harare Civil Court magistrate Ashton Dube that her husband, Gilbert Chiyanike, deserted the marriage without explanation, leaving her to single-handedly raise their children and fend for the family.
"After abandoning me for 15 years, he is now back, and threatening to evict me from our matrimonial home if I do not give him the money being paid by tenants," she testified. "I have no peace since he is claiming that he will sell the house if I do not comply with his demands."
Fern said Gilbert had completely cut off communication and provided no financial support during his absence. She explained that she was shocked when he returned a few months ago, demanding to take control of the family home and accusing her of destroying property, including defaulting on Harare City Council payments.
"He left me thinking that I may die. I suffered raising the children alone while he was nowhere to be found. Now, after 15 years, he came back suddenly and wants to act like nothing happened. He has been harassing me, threatening me," she said.
The court heard that Gilbert allegedly demands US$200 from rental income every month, which Fern relies on for survival. She pleaded for a protection order to stop him from harassing her or attempting to chase away 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 added.
Through his lawyer, Gilbert denied harassing his wife. He admitted leaving home but argued that they had been on separation.
"The applicant is fabricating facts against her husband, who only asked her the reason why she was not paying bills," the lawyer said, claiming Fern had neglected to settle debts. He also presented receipts relating to City Council arrears, which Fern dismissed as fake and part of an attempt to discredit her.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Dube granted a reciprocal order, instructing both parties to maintain peace and urging them to seek counselling and mediation to resolve their marital dispute.
Fern Chiyanike told Harare Civil Court magistrate Ashton Dube that her husband, Gilbert Chiyanike, deserted the marriage without explanation, leaving her to single-handedly raise their children and fend for the family.
"After abandoning me for 15 years, he is now back, and threatening to evict me from our matrimonial home if I do not give him the money being paid by tenants," she testified. "I have no peace since he is claiming that he will sell the house if I do not comply with his demands."
Fern said Gilbert had completely cut off communication and provided no financial support during his absence. She explained that she was shocked when he returned a few months ago, demanding to take control of the family home and accusing her of destroying property, including defaulting on Harare City Council payments.
"He left me thinking that I may die. I suffered raising the children alone while he was nowhere to be found. Now, after 15 years, he came back suddenly and wants to act like nothing happened. He has been harassing me, threatening me," she said.
The court heard that Gilbert allegedly demands US$200 from rental income every month, which Fern relies on for survival. She pleaded for a protection order to stop him from harassing her or attempting to chase away 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 added.
Through his lawyer, Gilbert denied harassing his wife. He admitted leaving home but argued that they had been on separation.
"The applicant is fabricating facts against her husband, who only asked her the reason why she was not paying bills," the lawyer said, claiming Fern had neglected to settle debts. He also presented receipts relating to City Council arrears, which Fern dismissed as fake and part of an attempt to discredit her.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Dube granted a reciprocal order, instructing both parties to maintain peace and urging them to seek counselling and mediation to resolve their marital dispute.
Source - The Herald
