Co-wives at each other’s throats

A CHIKANGA woman who is being stalked by her husband’s second wife has approached the Mutare Civil Court seeking a protection order that bars the latter from having any contact with her.

Appearing before magistrate Mr Xavier Chipato, Rufaro Mundiyani told the court that ever since Loveness Phiri became aware that her husband has another wife, she has been stalking her daily.

She accused Phiri of coming to her Chikanga house to harass her physically and emotionally.

“She wants me to leave my husband, but that will not happen. When she got into an affair with my husband, she did not know that he was already married. She thought that she was the only woman in his life.

“When she realised that he was already married, she continued with the relationship. I do not know how she got to know that he is married, but ever since then she has been visiting me at my house and threatening that if I do not leave him, my life will be in danger,” said Mundiyani.

She described Phiri as a violent woman who is always following her everywhere.

“She is stalking me and I always bump into her wherever I go. When I bump into her she always hurls insults at me. She also comes to my house to insult me. She claims that she is also married to my husband, but what I know is that she is just his baby mama. I am his legal wife,” she said.

Mundiyani said on one occasion, she sustained injuries on her face after Phiri threw a brick at her. She had to seek medical attention.

In her defence, Phiri told the court that she only realised that her husband was already married to Mundiyani after the payment of her lobola.

“l already have children with this man, so I am also his wife. He also paid a bride price to my family. Up to this day

we are still together. Unfortunately maiguru(Mundiyani) has failed to accept me as our husband’s second wife.

“She cannot continue calling me his girlfriend when l’m married to him. She knows that and I wonder why she is lying to this court that she is the only woman in hubby’s life. We are in a polygamous relationship,” said Phiri.

She further denied allegations that she stalks and harasses Mundiyani.

She claimed that on the occasions that she went to Mundiyani’s house, she was looking for their husband.

She, however, said she did not have any problem with the granting of the protection order.

Mr Chipato granted the protection order in Mundiyani’s favour.

The order bars Phiri from harassing, assaulting, insulting and disturbing Mundiyani’s peace. It is valid for one year.