Court Reporter
A SPIRIT medium dressed in red and black regalia yesterday caused a stir at the Civil Court when he exchanged insults with his wife.

Lovemore Simbarashe Chiponda had been brought to court by his             wife Judith who sought a protection            order.
Chiponda insisted to remain in his regalia which he said protected him from evil spirits emanating from  Judith.
The couple hurled insults at each other before magistrate Mr Milton Serima, resulting in them being whisked out of the courtroom by police officers.

They were briefly detained and later called back into the court after they had gathered composure.
Chiponda and Judith, who are legally married and have been staying together for the last 14 years, have three children.
“Although we are legally married under Chapter 5:11, divorce is final and this man is refusing to sign consent papers,” said Judith.

“He stalks me, calls me all sorts of names in public and accuses me of bewitching him.”
Chiponda told the court that he fell mentally ill in 2009 and his wife chased him out of the matrimonial home.
“She is denying me access to my children and I haven’t seen them for the past three years,” he said.

“I am a spirit medium representing ‘Dare raChaminuka’ and I realised that Judith caused my illness because of love portions.”
Mr Serima granted the protection order in Judith’s favour.
He ordered Chiponda to stop stalking his wife, insulting or calling her names. Chiponda was also ordered to stop accusing Judith of witchcraft.