A Harare woman, Inasiya Tanzi, has been granted a protection order against her husband, Nelson Chigumira, following decades of alleged abuse so severe it has included being forced to share a bed with her 18-year-old son.
Magistrate Judith Taruvinga of the Harare Civil Court granted the order, prohibiting Chigumira from harassing or assaulting his wife. The case highlights the devastating long-term impact of domestic violence and the desperate measures some victims take to seek safety.
The couple, married for 32 years, have endured a tumultuous relationship marked by years of alleged abuse, according to Tanzi’s testimony. She detailed a pattern of harassment and assault that has escalated over their marriage.
Describing the most recent incidents, Tanzi stated: “My husband has been harassing and assaulting me for 32 years. He now throws me out of the bedroom at night while I am half-naked and forces me to sleep with our son. I fear for my safety and even our son’s presence does not guarantee my protection.”
The forced co-sleeping arrangement, a deeply disturbing aspect of the abuse, underscores the extent of Chigumira’s alleged control and disregard for his wife’s dignity.
Tanzi’s testimony further revealed that the abuse extends beyond physical violence. Chigumira’s alleged distrust has led him to refuse food prepared by his wife, fearing poisoning.
Inasiya explained: “He is no longer taking any food I cook at the house because he fears I will poison him.”
This detail illustrates the pervasive nature of the abuse, impacting even the most basic aspects of their daily lives.
Chigumira, however, presented a contrasting narrative in court. He claimed that his wife has been denying him his conjugal rights for many years, offering this as a justification for his actions.
He stated: “She doesn’t care about me, she has no love for me so it’s only fair she shares the bed with her son. She is in the habit of just going out during the night claiming to be in the bathroom yet she has a bucket in the bedroom which she uses for the same.”
His response, however, fails to address the serious allegations of physical and emotional abuse levelled against him. His justification for forcing his wife to share a bed with their son is particularly troubling and reveals a disturbing lack of empathy and understanding of the severity of his actions.
The granting of the protection order provides Inasiya Tanzi with a crucial legal safeguard, offering some measure of protection from further abuse.
