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Court Reporter
A 21-year-old Harare man, who is involved in a fiery divorce battle with his 41-year-old wife, left the court baffled yesterday after accusing her of forcing him into a marriage by sponsoring lobola and their wedding.
Tinashe Chipondiwa of Caledon Avenue, Prospect in Waterfalls, made the sensational claims at Mbare Magistrate’s Courts where he also accused Edith Makumbe of infecting him with HIV. This was during cross examination in a case in which he is accused of malicious damage to property. Chipondiwa said they were married for three years and trouble started this year when he wanted to divorce Makumbe, a CBZ Bank employee in Harare.

“The problem we are facing started when I told you that I want a divorce so that we could share the property equally,” said Chipondiwa while addressing Makumbe.

“You infected me with HIV. Do our age differences show that I consented to this marriage? It was improper for us to be husband and wife.”

Chipondiwa told the court that his parents wanted to sue Makumbe for her actions. Makumbe hit back saying she did not force Chipondiwa into the marriage and wedding.

“Was there anyone pointing a gun at you when we wedded?” she said. “You entered into this marriage voluntarily.” Makumbe said Chipondiwa was violent in nature and she relocated to Harare from Chinhoyi after he severely assaulted her.

Prosecutor Ms Mirirai Mavhima, told the court that on May 24 this year, Chipondiwa had a dispute with Makumbe and he allegedly turned violent and cut her clothing with a knife before destroying her wardrobe valued at US$2 000. Mbare magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje, postponed the matter to Tuesday next week.