Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A WOMAN from Harare is suing her husband who abandoned her and their children and has only returned to cause havoc in their lives.
Fern Chiyanike told the Harare Civil Court magistrate, Mr Ashton Dube, that Gilbert Chiyanike walked out on their marriage many years ago without a word, leaving her to fend for herself and their children.
“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 said.
“I have no peace since he is claiming that he will sell the house if I do not comply with his demands”.
She stated that her husband completely cut off communication and never provided any financial support to her and the children during his absence.
According to Fern, she struggled alone for over a decade, raising the children and fending for herself.
During that time, she said she moved on with her life emotionally and financially, as her husband never showed any signs of returning.
However, much to her shock, Gilbert resurfaced a few months ago, demanding to take control of the family home and accusing her of destroying his property, including owing debts to the Harare City Council.
“He left me thinking that I may die. I suffered raising the children alone while he was nowhere to be found,” she said.
“Now, after 15 years, he came back suddenly and wants to act like nothing happened. He has been harassing me, threatening me,” she said.
Fern claimed that her husband’s violent behaviour has forced her to seek protection from the court.
“He always shouts, saying I should give him US$200 from tenants, which is also my source of income.”
Chiyanike pleaded with the court to grant her a protection order to stop her husband from coming to their home with violent intentions or chasing 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 said.
However, the respondent, through his lawyer, denied harassing Fern.
He admitted leaving home, insisting that they were on separation.
“The applicant is fabricating facts against her husband, who only asked her the reason why she was not paying bills,” said the lawyer.
“When he came back, he realised that the property had debts, and when he asked, she then said she had been abused”.
Chiyanike dismissed some receipts relating to the City Council’s debt that were presented by the lawyer as fake.
She said the receipts were meant to tarnish her image and strengthen her husband’s push to evict her.
The presiding magistrate granted a reciprocal order, urging both parties to consider counselling and mediation to resolve their marital dispute.
Both parties were instructed to maintain peace.
The post Man returns home after 15 years, wrecks havoc appeared first on herald.
The post Man returns home after 15 years, wrecks havoc appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.