TSUMEB – After Police Deputy Commissioner William Peter revealed that some men are regularly abused by their wives one man has gone public in exposing his violent wife.
Arguably one of the bravest men in Tsumeb, Thomas Muunda (44) a self-employed resident of Soweto in Tsumeb told New Era that his wife Nandotweni Kakwena (49) allegedly continually abuses him. The violence began shortly after the couple wed about three years ago.
Muunda lives in constant fear of being wrestled to the ground, scratched, bitten, burnt, slapped, hit with bricks and at one stage was even threatened with a machete.
“I once woke up to find her standing over me with a knife, she tried to stab me but I managed to escape,” narrated Muunda. The two have three children together – two sons and a daughter. The sons are respectively sixteen and fourteen years of age and the daughter is nine years old. The wife Kakwena allegedly hits her husband no matter where he is or who is present and even does it in front of their children.
He has apparently been living with his brother-in-law for the past two years, however this has not stopped the violence because Kakwena makes surprise visits during which time she allegedly beats him if he does not give her money for maintenance, as she is jobless.
According to Muunda the police know everything and they are also aware that the female husband basher has also threatened to violently cut short the victim’s life.
“I am afraid she will kill me,” cried a weary Muunda.
The violence between the couple is not only done behind closed doors and members of the Soweto community recently staged a protest march against gender-based violence and wanted Kakwena to leave with immediate effect.
“There are many men who are abused in Soweto, this is why we the community are marching against it, we have seen enough. Muunda is brave for coming forward and his actions are anything but cowardly or weakness” said Monica Linus a community member.
Another resident Paulus (Langer) Hailonga said Muunda has suffered enough and the community wants his wife to leave him and his children in peace.
“This is past reconciliation, he says he does not love her anymore and if she stays she will end up killing him,” said Hailonga. According to Linus violent wives abuse countless men in Tsumeb.
“I know of a man in the next street who is also beaten frequently. I suppose his situation is better, at least he is allowed to go home. Everyone in Soweto knows my wife does not need provocation as she attacks me even when I am simply walking down the street. She claims I am not allowed to talk to anyone even our neighbours. She is an angry woman. I do not fight back because I don’t want to end up in jail,” said Muunda.
By John Travolter Matali