Crimes and Courts
Harare – A Harare marriage has descended into chaos after a man accused his wife of lacing his food with urine and storing bottles of the liquid in their wardrobe, leading to a bitter court battle over alleged abuse and infidelity.

Artwell Matemera, who works in Bindura while his wife, Winny Johannes, resides in Harare, filed for a protection order against her, claiming emotional and physical abuse.

He told the court that the disturbing behavior began after he confronted her about an alleged affair.

“Our problems started after I caught her cheating,” Matemera testified.

“She began acting strangely, pouring urine into my food. I also found her mixing urine with an unknown powdered substance.”

As evidence, he presented a bottle in court, which he claimed contained the urine mixture. When he questioned Johannes about the hidden bottles, he said she responded with insults, telling him,

“This is what happens when you have no money.”

Matemera further alleged that his wife threatened him with a knife, leaving him with a cut on his hand during an altercation. He also made shocking claims about their intimate life, stating,

“During sex, she sprinkles an unknown powder on my genitals, assaults me, and denies me access to our children.”

Johannes, however, denied the accusations, instead accusing Matemera of abuse and infidelity.

“Yes, the bottle is mine, but I use it to store medicines since I sell herbs,” she explained.

“He left me when I was pregnant with twins. I confronted him because he would take my underwear and give it to his girlfriends. He also spread rumors in our neighborhood that I infected him with STIs.”

Magistrate Meenal Narotam urged the couple to seek counseling before finalizing the protection order, stressing the need for reconciliation given the severity of the allegations.

The case has drawn attention to the escalating tensions between the couple, with the court set to revisit the matter after further mediation attempts.

Zim GBC News©2025