HARARE – A Harare couple’s unusual bedroom arrangement, involving sexual relations only once a year, has landed them in court, with the wife seeking a protection order against her husband, claiming abuse and humiliation.
Fortunate Muchenje sought the protection order against her husband, Moses Nyakudya, which was granted by magistrate Meenal Naratom. The case has brought to light the couple’s strained relationship and allegations of marital discord.
Nyakudya, in his defence, expressed his dissatisfaction with the infrequency of their sexual encounters. “I am a human being and l need to have sex with my wife but she only gives me when she feels like it,” he told the court.
He further claimed that his wife’s resistance to his advances often turns him off. “She slaps and pinches me if I try to make advances, which always turns me off,” he said. Despite their issues, Nyakudya maintained his affection for his wife, stating, “My wish is for us to live in peace with my wife, l love her.”
Muchenje, however, painted a different picture of their marriage, alleging that her husband’s abusive behaviour is the reason for her reluctance to engage in sexual relations. “Moses does not respect me and that is the reason why l deny him sex,” she told the court.
She accused her husband of discussing their private matters with neighbours, including intimate details about their bedroom life. “He discusses me with our neighbours, telling them that l am not good in bed,” Muchenje claimed.
Muchenje recounted a recent incident where she did engage in sexual intercourse with her husband, only to be met with insults and humiliation afterwards. “Recently I had sex with…after sex, he started shouting insulting me, l felt humiliated,” she said.
Adding to the already bizarre situation, Muchenje accused her husband of making outlandish accusations, including suggesting she was having sexual relations with her own father.
“My husband even accuses me of having sexual intercourse with my father,” she stated. “If I deny him sex, he says my father is using me for juju.”
Muchenje claimed she lives in constant fear and has no peace in her home. “I no longer have peace in the house as he is abusing me. Each time I hear people laughing, l feel like they will be laughing at me since my husband shares our bedroom secrets,” she said.
She further alleged that her husband is physically abusive and has threatened her life. “Moses assaults me claiming that l am his property and he can do what he wants with me,” Muchenje told the court. “I have tried to keep quiet but he is now chasing me away from our home and threatening to kill me.”
Muchenje revealed that she has taken to hiding dangerous weapons in the house out of fear for her safety. “Each time he becomes violent I hide all dangerous weapons,” she said. “He claims that he will kill someone and go to jail.”
