Zimpapers Logo

Mpumelelo Nyoni Chronicle Reporter
A 55-YEAR-OLD woman and her family, among them three minors, have been living in the open for the past week after her ex-husband allegedly sold their matrimonial home in Thorngrove suburb without her consent.
Lillian Rugwete (nee Matenga) and Isaac Rugwete divorced in 2005 and the woman was thrown onto the street last Wednesday by the Sheriff of the High Court after the new owner of the property was granted an eviction order .

Lillian told Chronicle yesterday that they have been living on handouts from neighbours since the family’s eviction.

She lives with her children and grandchildren, some of whom are aged two, six and eight years.

“The seven of us have been sleeping outside my house for the past week. My grandson is only two years old and we’ve been relieving ourselves in the bush which is a serious health risk. I also have two granddaughters aged six and nine years old and you can imagine what they’ve been going through,” said Lillian.

She also showed the news crew a divorce order granting her and Rugwete equal ownership of the matrimonial home. The order stipulates that in the event of the house being sold, both parties were to share the proceeds equally.

However, the man went behind her back and sold the house to Mavis Phiri, who had sued him in the High Court (case number 76/13) over a debt.

Lillian said she does not know where to reach Rugwete to resolve the matter as she does not have his contact details.

Thorngrove residents’ chairperson, Charles Ncube, described the eviction as scandalous and a violation of women’s and human rights.

“As residents, we can’t let this scandalous act prevail. You saw the divorce order yourself. One of the conditions is that Isaac pays maintenance to his ex-wife and family but he has never contributed a cent.

“This man preyed on his wife’s ignorance and sold the house behind her back to settle his debts before vanishing,” said Ncube.