Zimpapers Logo

Thubelihle Mabhena Court Reporter
A MAN who made headlines recently after accusing a pastor of snatching his wife was yesterday dragged to court by the wife who was seeking a protection order against him for verbally abusing her. Never Chakanaka, 66, of Lobengula West reported last year at Magwegwe Police Station that Pastor Machingura of Ambassador Apostolic Church, also known as Wapusa-Wapusa, snatched his wife, Norah Chakanaka, 57, for four days without his consent.

Norah told Bulawayo Magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure that since the incident her husband insults her and constantly calls her a prostitute.

She said Never had even driven her out of their matrimonial bedroom and she now slept in the kitchen.

“Your worship, my husband is making my life a living hell. He calls me a prostitute everyday hurling insults at me and accusing me of bedding my pastor,” said Norah.

“I would like a protection order that will prevent him from verbally abusing me and stop him from sending false stories about me in B-Metro.”

Never shot back saying the B-Metro news crew arrived at his house to find out whether his wife had truly been taken away by Pastor Machingura for four days.

He said he confirmed the incident and they published the story. “Your worship, my wife angered me when she went away on her so called church camp to Shurugwi without my consent. Her pastor Machingura interferes in my marriage,’ said Never.

He denied labelling her a prostitute but accused her of being rude and disrespectful since she started going to the church.

Never said his wife spoke glowingly about Machingura in his presence making him, as her husband, feel disturbed. He told the court that since she went to that trip he has refrained from supporting her financially as his wife.

Magistrate Mashavakure granted Norah a protection order barring Never from physically and verbally abusing her.

She also ordered Never to give her $20 each month as spousal support.