A Harare man is said to have deserted his matrimonial home after falling out with his second wife, who claimed he was too old for her.

by NQOBILE NKIWANE

The woman, Mary Garwe, this week approached the Civil Court seeking a protection order against her husband, Shepherd Moyo, whom she accused of insulting and threatening her with death.

Moyo, however, dismissed Garwe’s claims and told Harare magistrate Ruth Kamangira that his wife had always been the aggressor and as a result he had deserted his matrimonial home.

“She told me that I am too old for her, so I cannot share a bed with someone who still thinks she is a young girl,” he said. The court was told Garwe is Moyo’s second wife and the pair have always had domestic disputes.

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In her application Garwe told the court that she needed protection from Moyo because he was very abusive and on many occasions forced her to eat fruits and vegetables, which he brought from his first wife.

“I am not comfortable eating the vegetables he brings from his other wife’s place, but he insists on bringing them home and forcing me to eat,” she said. “He insults me saying I am not his wife and even threatens to kill me.”

In granting the protection order, the magistrate advised Garwe to understand the challenges that come with polygamous families.

“There is no issue here; you are just fond of coming to court. If you get married to a man, who already has a wife, you have to live with those conditions,” Kamangira said. “This court cannot deal with some of the domestic issues you have mentioned.”