Mbabane – A protracted marital dispute resurfaced before the Mbabane Magistrates Court this week as a local woman gave a detailed account of the events she says pushed her out of her marriage, including allegations of infidelity, assault and threats to her life.
The hearing, which resumed in Mbabane, heard the woman explain why she left the couple’s home after what she described as years of strain and repeated conflict. She told the court that the turning point came when her husband allegedly returned home late from an event, found the door locked, and reacted angrily after knocking for a long time without anyone responding.
She said her husband assaulted their niece, who was living with them at the time, accusing her of taking too long to open the door. She further alleged that he fetched a firearm, pointed it at her and warned her she was next. She told the court that after this incident she no longer felt safe in the home and made the decision to leave with her children.
Her version differs sharply from her husband’s account. He maintains that she left voluntarily after confirming he had fathered a child with another woman.
She told the court that infidelity had troubled their marriage for years. She said she found proof of his cheating on several occasions and despite attempts to repair the relationship she eventually accepted that the marriage could not be saved.
As the hearing continued she was questioned about her decision to accompany her husband to Pretoria where they lived together for a period and engaged in sexual relations. She said she did not go out of choice but because her husband had sent her a screenshot suggesting that unknown people wanted to kill him and the family. She said he told her that if anything happened to their children he would never forgive her. She added that they fought frequently while in Pretoria.
She said that by the time they returned to Eswatini she had already concluded the marriage was over. She had begun making plans for a life with her children, not expecting her husband to appear the following day.
She also faced questions about a later trip to Durban where she and her husband travelled with their children and were intimate during the holiday despite her claims that she no longer wished to continue the marriage. She said she went only for the sake of the children.
The husband’s attorney told the court that the husband remains open to counselling and has asked for forgiveness. The court was told he had even considered bringing roses to court as a sign of his commitment to fixing the marriage, though he was reportedly discouraged from doing so.
The woman maintained she does not want to reconcile, telling the court her husband is currently staying with another woman.
The matter has been postponed to 19 December for continuation of the trial.
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