Man seeks refuge in church after being chased out his home by alleged violent wife

A Zimbabwean man, Robert Vezha has sought help from the Harare Civil Court after being kicked out of his home by his alleged violent wife.

Robert sought for help from the Harare Civil Court, filing for a protection order against his wife, Lucia Vezha, he accused of subjecting him to both verbal and physical abuse, and allegedly disposing their joint property without his consent.

He recounted a particularly harrowing incident where his wife covered his face with a bucket before assaulting him. Robert said the brutal attack left him with a damaged eardrum and he is scheduled for a doctor’s review later this month. He also recalled how he initially stayed around the tuck shop area but later sought refuge in a church.

He said; 

“One day she covered my face with a bucket and assaulted me before chasing me from the house. She damaged my eardrum and I am going to the doctor for a review on January 22. I started staying around the tuck shop area when she first chased me from the house. Now I’m staying at a church in Dzivaresekwa.”

In her defence, Lucia denied forcing her husband out of their matrimonial home. She claimed that upon his return from Mozambique, Robert had informed her that he was now a prophet and expressed a desire to stay outside to connect with the spirit.

According to Lucia, Robert would voluntarily take his blankets and sleep outside, claiming he wanted to communicate with God. Lucia said her husband has been making up stories to tarnish her image at church and around the neighbourhood.

She said;

“He would take his blankets and sleep outside, telling me that he wants to talk to God. He even reported me kuna Father ku-church that I am chasing him from the house and selling household property.”

Magistrate Sharon Mashavira granted the protection order to Robert, instructing Lucia not to force him out of their shared home.