A Harare court heard a truly unusual case this week, involving a husband’s extraordinary protest against his wife’s refusal to have sex.
Maclaren Nduri, the husband in question, shocked the magistrate with his admission that he defecates and urinates in his bedroom as a form of protest against his wife, Berita Mutero.
Nduri’s actions stem from his wife’s refusal to engage in sexual relations since she began working in Mbare. He believes his wife is now involved with another man.
“My wife has been denying me sex ever since she started working in Mbare, I think she now has a boyfriend,” he told the court.
“This has been going on for some time and I can’t forgive her for making me go through this. She once reported me to the police and I served a 30-day imprisonment for domestic violence,” he added.
Mutero’s testimony painted a picture of escalating abuse and unsanitary conditions within the marital home.
She described Nduri’s behaviour as increasingly erratic and disturbing.
“He is in the habit of assaulting me and burning my clothes because I have been turning down his sexual requests. I am tired of my husband’s behaviour and I feel he needs serious help because I will never enjoy any sexual intercourse under such an environment. Sometimes he uses the bucket to relieve himself and leaves it in the bedroom for days,” she revealed, highlighting the unsanitary conditions Nduri’s actions have created.
The court heard that Nduri’s unusual protest involved using a bucket to relieve himself in their bedroom and leaving it there for days, creating an unsanitary and unbearable living situation for Mutero.
This unsanitary behaviour, coupled with the alleged assaults and clothing burning, paints a concerning picture of the couple’s relationship. His actions, while shocking, are a manifestation of deeper underlying issues within the relationship.
Magistrate Judith Taruvinga who presided over the case, recognised the gravity of the situation and the need for intervention. In her ruling, she urged the couple to seek professional marital counselling.
The magistrate’s recommendation underscores the importance of seeking professional help in resolving marital conflicts, particularly those involving violence or unusual forms of protest.
