Jealous ex-husband sued over years of abuse

A Harare woman, Beauty Musekiwa, has been granted a protection order against her ex-husband, Murwira Mandivengerei, after enduring five years of alleged abuse, harassment, and intimidation following their separation.

The ruling was made by Harare Civil Court magistrate Ashton Dube on Wednesday, bringing an end to what Musekiwa described as years of torment at the hands of a man who refused to accept that their marriage was over.

Musekiwa told the court that Mandivengerei had repeatedly threatened her life, stalked her, and taken her household property and groceries, insisting that she had no right to live happily without him.

"I am afraid that one day he might kill me. He threatens me, yet he has a new family," Musekiwa testified.

What began as a seemingly peaceful separation soon turned into a nightmare of intimidation. Musekiwa said her ex-husband could not come to terms with the end of their relationship and began interfering in her life whenever she tried to move on.

"He does not want to see me happy. Every time I buy something for my home, he comes to take it away. He says I should not enjoy life with another man while he is still alive," she said. "He even steals my groceries and gives them to his new wife just to hurt me."

The court heard that Mandivengerei would show up uninvited at her home and workplace, hurl insults at her, and physically assault her whenever he suspected she was in a new relationship.

"For five years, I have suffered in silence. He thought I would never stand up for myself, but I realised that silence only gave him more power. I am glad I finally found the courage to speak," Musekiwa told the court.

In his response, Mandivengerei denied the allegations of physical abuse but admitted taking some of the property, claiming it belonged to him from their marriage. He also insisted that he did not recognise the separation until it was done "traditionally," accusing Musekiwa of disrespecting cultural norms.

"Those things are mine, I have a right to them. I only took what belongs to me," he said.

Magistrate Dube dismissed Mandivengerei's justification and reminded him that separation entitled both parties to live independently and in peace. He ruled in Musekiwa's favour, granting the protection order and warning Mandivengerei to stay away from her home and cease all forms of harassment.

The court further instructed Mandivengerei to return any property that did not legally belong to him.

Musekiwa left the courtroom relieved, expressing gratitude for the legal protection after years of living in fear. The case has drawn attention to the growing number of women seeking protection from abusive former partners who refuse to accept separation.