By Panashe Karidzagundi
A woman from Beitbridge has been granted a five-year protection order against her former husband after accusing him of stalking and harassment.
Mellisa Ndou appeared before Magistrate Mbonisi Kaweni seeking protection from her ex-husband, Watson Chindandayi, alleging that he had been stalking her and interfering with her personal belongings whenever they met.
Ndou told the court that Chindandayi would take away her mobile phones and other property during their encounters and would often try to provoke fights.
She also accused him of withholding important personal documents, including their children’s birth certificates, as well as some of her clothes.
“He stalks me and takes my property and my phones when we meet. He is also refusing to give me the birth certificates, saying no one can separate or sue him. He is also keeping my personal clothes which I want to collect,” Ndou told the court.
She asked the court to intervene and order Chindandayi to stop the alleged harassment and return her belongings.
In response, Chindandayi did not oppose the application.
He told the court that he had not intended to prevent Ndou from collecting her belongings but had hoped the two could discuss and resolve their differences.
“I am not objecting. I never stopped her from taking her clothes. I was just hoping we could talk and resolve things,” he said.
After hearing submissions from both parties, the magistrate granted Ndou a protection order which will remain in force for five years.
The court also ordered Chindandayi to return Ndou’s clothing and the birth certificates and advised him to respect the order and refrain from any behaviour that could amount to harassment.