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The Herald, December 2, 2004

HER husband took a butcher’s knife and chopped off her two fingers. 

This incident marked the height of Nyarai Matsika’s violent relationship with her common law husband who is now under arrest for some other offence.

Matsika (21) was rushed to Chitungwiza General Hospital where she was immediately detained for fear that her husband, who blamed her for revealing his dark secrets, could strike again and get rid of her for good.

The husband’s relatives visited Matsika at the hospital and threatened to beat her up for reporting the incident to the police.

Matsika who almost died following severe loss of blood, spoke of untold suffering in her two-year marriage that had totally destroyed her personality.

While the incident that resulted in the chopping off of her fingers is an action that could be classified as attempted murder or assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, the law regards such cases as domestic violence.

Domestic violence has no charge in the statutes. Police regard assault of a wife by her husband as a private bedroom issue that does not warrant any detention or investigation.

There seems to be no properly placed intervention strategies to ensure that spouses in violent relationships get assistance before the matter gets to the stage of serious injury or fatality. In other words, police can only take action when a life has been maimed or taken.

As Zimbabwe marks the “16 Days of Activism against All Forms of Gender Based Violence”, it is also time to reflect and remember all people who died at the hands of their spouses.

LESSONS FOR TODAY 

 Zimbabwe enacted the Domestic Violence Act (Chapter 5:16) on February 26, 2007. 

 The Act came into force on October 25, 2007. The Act addresses the following forms of violence: physical, emotional, sexual, economic and emotional abuse. 

The Act also provides for protection and relief to survivors of domestic violence.

 Cases of violence within homes continue to rise despite the enactment of a relevant law to curb the vice.

 This year’s theme is: “End Violence Against Women and Girls Now; No to Child Marriage.”