Lethokuhle Moyo Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO man broke down in court yesterday saying his wife of 10 years wanted to dissolve their marriage because of his low income.
Foreman Dube of Nkulumane spent about ten minutes crying before magistrate Victor Mpofu saying he did not want his marriage to Priscillar Mpofu to be dissolved.
Dube did not disclose his occupation in court.
The magistrate asked him:
“Why are you crying? Is it because she no longer wants you?”
Dube said he still loved his wife and the end of their marriage would spell doom for their 10 year old child. “I don’t understand what the problem is because I still love my wife. The problem is every time I get home she will not be there. The problem started when I started earning little money. If this dissolution is granted it means my child will go and stay in the rural areas and herd cattle,” said Dube.
He said their relatives had tried to save the marriage to no avail.
However, Mpofu told the court that her husband told her in 2013 that he was no longer in love with her. She said after declaring that, Dube continued to sleep with her until August 9, 2014 when she moved out of the bedroom to sleep in a spare room.
She said Dube was not providing for the family. “Your Worship, right now as we speak it’s been two days without electricity. I love my husband but it doesn’t help because at home we are not talking. When I try to talk him he doesn’t answer me. He doesn’t open his mouth to say anything,” Mpofu said.
Mpofu requested the court to grant her custody of the child upon dissolution and $150 as maintenance for the child.
The magistrate ordered the two to go for counselling from a professional registered organisation and told them to return to court on June 1.