Woman calls her lover brother -- ex-hubby says

A WOMAN believed to be a lecturer at one of the country's tertiary institutions has accused a former lover of trying to get her to abort her pregnancy.

This happened when they were still together.

Maureen Phiri made the claims at the Harare Civil court where she was seeking a protection order against her former lover, Gilbert Chirukira.

She complained that Gilbert was abusive and violent.

Maureen also told the court that Gilbert exhibited some suicidal tendencies during the time they were together.

"He advised me to abort my pregnancy," she said

Maureen added: "Gilbert asked to see the child sometime and I allowed him to come to my place to pick the child.

"He became violent after he noticed my brother's car which was parked accusing him to be the one behind our break up.

"He followed me into my apartment and pushed the door violently to gain entry.

"I also pushed him out but he overpowered me and I fell down.

"I was later helped by my brother and sister to push him out of the balcony.

"The altercation occurred in full view of my son.

"This affected him emotionally and told my sister's child that 'daddy hatichatambi naye akakanda mhamha pasi'.

"He now fears to sleep on his own but wants me to be by his side always," she said.

But Gilbert denied the allegations.

He told the court that his ex-girlfriend was dating a 20-year-old man.

Gilbert also said that Maureen lied to him that the man was her brother upon being introduced.

"Maureen is fabricating a story.

"She attacked me after following me to my place in the company of her boyfriend and sister.

"We have a pending criminal case at Rotten Row court (Harare magistrates' court).

"She is a lecturer and good at narrating stories.

"She is dating the man whom she claims to be her brother.

"The man is an ex-convict in South Africa and also a drug addict.

"Maureen wants me to be barred from seeing my son for five years.

"His boyfriend cannot be 'father' to my child," said Gilbert.

Gilbert also said that Maureen wants him to be barred from visiting her work place at the University of Zimbabwe.

"It is a public place and so how will I pursue my masters program," he said.

Maureen insisted that Gilbert was in the habit of abusing her saying that he tries to humiliate her in front of her colleagues.

Magistrate Gamuchirai Siwardi, presiding, granted the protection order.

Gilbert was ordered to maintain peace towards Maureen.