Businesswoman wrecks marriage

RUSAPE businesswoman, Gladys Svosve - who is at the nerve centre of an alleged adulterous relationship with debt-ridden Watermark College co-director, Barnabas Nemaire - has been slapped with a $10 000 lawsuit by the man's wife. Nemaire and his wife, Victoria are co-directors of Watermark College - which they founded six years ago from family savings - only to have its academic doors prematurely closed last week due to alleged bankruptcy as a result of poor management preceded by the ouster of Victoria from the business.

Victoria, who has been in the cold for the past five months, has approached the court seeking $10 000 compensation from Svosve, whom she accused of not only snatching her husband, but of wrecking both her marriage and family's source of livelihood. Victoria and Barnabas have been married for 26 years, during which the couple was blessed with six children.

However, the pair's blossoming 'marriage and family business' are now on the verge of collapse as a result of Nemaire's alleged shenanigans with Svosve. The pair's illicit relationship has been in the public domain since November 2014.

Victoria claimed that the two got close when Svosve sold 19 desks to Watermark College, on account, in a deal that Nemaire did not want her to know about. Svosve allegedly warmed up to Victoria, after Nemaire defaulted payment. Svosve allegedly sold the desks from her private college in the Central Business District (CBD) to pave way for the establishment of Greystream Clinic at the same premises.

The premises are at the centre of an ownership wrangle pitting Svosve and Mutare businessman, Khaled Joosab. Victoria claims in court papers filed at the Rusape Civil Court that "her marriage has shattered" and crumbled like a deck of cards after Svosve snatched her husband.

Victoria also alleged that Svosve was so disrespectful to the extent of and being in the habit of hurling insults at her "declaring and boasting that she is now Nemaire's new sweetheart".

"In 1989, I got customarily married to Barnabas Nemaire and together we have six children. On 6 June, 2000, I then got married under Chapter 37 as per attached copy of the marriage certificate. All was plain sailing until November, 2014.

"In that month I discovered that Gladys Svosve was having an adulterous affair with my husband. I had the shock of my life when I heard that Svosve pitched up at our matrimonial house in the company of my husband during my absence. My husband went on to tell my five children that Svosve was now his first wife and that I was now the second wife.

"On 28 August, 2015 at around 8pm, Svosve turned up at our matrimonial home in the company of my husband. I confronted her wanting to know exactly what she was doing with my husband and she did not give me a satisfactory answer. Svosve hurled insults at me and told me point blank that my husband, Nemaire, was now her husband. She said that in the presence of my daughter, our landlady and (Watermark College) boarding girls.

"Svosve has snatched my husband (Nemaire) and he has deserted the matrimonial home and is staying with her at 776 Castle Base, Rusape. I have since been denied my conjugal rights. I have no option, but to pray to this Honourable Court to grant me $10 000 adultery damages," argued Victoria.

Svosve denied the allegations, arguing that she never had a sexual relationship with Nemaire.

She insisted that their relationship was purely a business one.

"I am not having any sexual relationship with the plaintiff's (Victoria's) husband. In fact, I deny ever being in an adulterous affair as alleged. I have never been at the Plaintiff's matrimonial house. I do have a business relationship with a company in which plaintiff's husband is a director. If at all the defendant has been with the plaintiff's husband it was strictly for business purposes," responded Svosve.

The adultery case will anytime go on to pre-trial conference. Victoria is also contemplating pressing bigamy charges against Nemaire. She has also dragged her estranged husband to court demanding $10 000 maintenance. Victoria, who has hired Rusape–based law-firm Chiwanza and Partners Legal Practitioners to represent her in the maintenance case, alleges that Nemaire had virtually turned his back on his family while pampering Svosve.

Chiwanza and Partners Legal Practitioners argued that as a result of the neglection, their client and children have been wallowing in poverty. It is alleged that Nemaire had stopped providing basics such as food, rentals, schools fees and clothing for his family.

They antagonistic couple was expected to appear before magistrate, Mrs Petronella Hanzi on Wednesday.

For your feedback text or whatsapp 0772515970