Zim Now Writer
A Mutare man consumed poison so he could be spared from attending court where his wife had applied for a protection order against him.
The revelations came out in a case in which Dorcas Mutepa was granted a protection order at the Civil Court in that city against her abusive husband of 20 years, Brighton Machiri, who had earlier stabbed her after she had threatened to leave him.
Magistrate Xavier Chipato granted Mutepa a protection order valid for five years.
The order bans Machiri from assaulting, intimidating, threatening, insulting and harassing her.
Mutepa said her husband always assaults her.
She stated that his first three marriages also failed because of his violent tendencies.
“He believes in violence. He beats me whenever he feels like doing so. I have endured this for a long time, but cannot bear it anymore.
“However, the thought of raising my children alone without their father or my children blaming me for leaving their father keeps me in the marriage.
“I am his fourth wife. The other three women left him because of the same inhuman treatment that I am being subjected to. I am begging the court to help me as I might die at his hands.
“I do not want him to set foot at our house. He should leave us in peace and find alternative accommodation.
“We had a misunderstanding at home on April 13. He saw some messages in my phone and thought that I was being unfaithful. He severely assaulted me.
“I have scars all over my body from his endless beatings. He stabbed me on the ear and I sustained a deep cut, but thank God, I managed to survive. Every misunderstanding results in my bashing. I am tired and deserve peace in my life, Your Worship.
“I reported the matter to the police and he was arrested. He was remanded in custody, but guilty conscience overcame me and I dropped the charges. It is better for him to be out of prison and work for his children,” she said.
Machiri was allegedly admitted in hospital after consuming an unknown poison in the morning of the court hearing to avoid appearance.
“Early this morning, he went out and came back holding a bottle with an unknown poison. He drank the poison in my presence.
“I cannot continue going through this torture. He could not make it to court today because he is still admitted in hospital. He claims to be untouchable, a reason why he abuses me. However, I am fed up,” Mutepa added.
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