A woman identified as Memory Manyangadze brought to light a shocking story of domestic turmoil and heartache at the Harare Civil Court.
For the past three years, Memory has been enduring a situation that many would find hard to imagine: she has been forced to sleep in the narrow passage of her own home after being locked out of her marital bedroom by her husband, Reginald Tuhwe.
The turmoil began when Reginald, driven by unfounded suspicions and jealousy, accused Memory of having an extramarital @ffair with their church pastor.
This claim stemmed from messages he found on her phone, which he misinterpreted as signs of !nfidelity. Instead of confronting his wife directly or seeking clarification, Reginald resorted to drastic actions, locking her out of their shared bedroom and throwing her belongings into the passage.
ALSO READ: Landlord satisfies tenant’s wife while hubby is away
“Three years ago, he locked our bedroom and threw my belongings into the hallway. That’s where I have been sleeping ever since,” Memory recounted during her testimony in court, her voice filled with a mix of sorrow and resolve. Each time she attempted to access her own bedroom, Reginald’s response was violent, often leading to physical assaults that further reinforced his refusal to let her back inside.
Memory maintained that the messages Reginald came across were completely innocent. She argued that his accusations were baseless and a product of his jealousy.
Her husband, however, remained firm in his belief. “I was suspecting my wife of cheating, and I caught her exchanging sweet words with our pastor on her phone. She is a liar and a ch3at,” he claimed in court, displaying a shocking lack of accountability for the harsh treatment he had subjected her to.
The proceedings took place under the watchful eye of Magistrate Mandlenkosi Ndlovu, who recognized the seriousness of Memory’s situation. After hearing her testimony and considering the evidence presented, the court swiftly granted Memory a protection order against Reginald.
This ruling was a significant step towards ensuring her safety and restoring her dignity after years of emotional and physical distress. The magistrate also ordered Reginald to return the keys to a tuckshop that Memory had previously been managing, emphasizing the need to restore her independence.
Furthermore, the court mandated that Reginald allow Memory back into their bedroom, effectively ending the three-year ordeal of sleeping in a passage—a situation that clearly symbolized the breakdown of their marriage and the severe lack of trust that had taken root.
