The ManicaPost
Weekender Correspondent
A NYANGA couple’s marriage has been broken down following the husband’s silent treatment of his wife and children as he gives more attention to his smart phone.
The matter came to light when Edna Sungano approached the courts seeking maintenance from her estranged husband, Advance Sungano whom she accused of not having spoken to her since January 2019. Edna has since moved out of the matrimonial home following the eight-month silent treatment from Advance. She told the court that despite her husband not uttering a word since January, she endured the black out until August when she realised that he was not going to change.
“I have had enough. I cannot live with someone who does not speak to me or his children. His phone is his best friend Your Worship and he always has his head down on it. We all miss him even when he is in the house. He has not greeted me or answered me since January,” she told the court.
Edna told the court that the only word Advance said to her in January was ‘congratulations’ when she gave birth to their second child and has been quiet ever since. Advance however, told the court that he still loved his wife and wanted her back home.
He also apologised for being preoccupied with his phone but told the court that he has been quiet this long because they had problems in their marriage.
“ Why should I pay maintenance when she is the one who ran away? If she wants me to look after my children, then she should come back home,” he suggested.
Edna would not hear of it as she accused him of mistreating the children and ignoring them when they tried to talk to him. Advance was ordered to fork out $250 monthly for the upkeep of his two minor children. Mutare magistrate, Miss Prisca Tendai Manhibi presided over the matter.
