Villagers Watch in Shock as Chief Mutasa Uses US$20 Sweets to Heal Broken Marriage

A domestic violence hearing in Mutasa shocked a packed community court when Chief Mutasa broke from stern warnings to hand a feuding couple US$20, urging them to buy sweets as a symbolic step toward reconciliation.

Villagers watched in disbelief as the unusual gesture shifted the tense atmosphere from conflict to reconciliation.

The intervention happened this week at Chief Mutasa’s community court, where Mbuya Chirumiko Marima and Sekuru Marima sought help for a marriage they said was collapsing under abuse and neglect.

Mbuya Marima accused her husband of emotional and physical abuse, saying she was forced to herd cattle and was once kicked out of the home for months.

“My husband is abusive. He makes me herd cattle, and once he kicked me out for months. For a whole month, we slept on opposite sides of the bed, as if I were unclean,” she told the court.

She said the situation worsened over time.

“He turned me into his punching bag, and I lost my teeth because of the assaults,” she testified, adding that even the children were now caught up in the conflict.

Sekuru Marima disputed the allegations, blaming his wife’s frequent visits to prophetic healers.

“She goes three or four times a week. She often pretends to be gravely ill, shouting that salt must be sprinkled on her,” he said.

He added that her behaviour had disrupted family life.

“She even involved our eldest child, asking him to watch while she pretended she was dying,” he said.

In a dramatic turn, her brother, Raymond Tawonangoro, admitted the family had misunderstood the situation.

“We thought our sister was the one mistreating her husband. But after seeing how you handled this case, chief, we now understand the truth,” he said.

Chief Mutasa condemned the violence.

“This home has become a house of horror… He should be reported to the police,” he said.

After both spouses said they still loved each other, he shifted tone: “Love alone cannot fix a home, but love is where rebuilding starts.”

He urged the couple’s children to support reconciliation.

The chief then produced US$20 and handed it to Sekuru Marima, advising them to buy “goodies, biscuits, drinks — something small to share.”

“This is for the two of you. Rekindle the love you confessed today and find the spark again,” he said.

The gallery erupted in applause as the couple hugged, closing a tense hearing with a symbolic gesture villagers said they would not forget.

-Manicapost