Takudzwa Masamba says hospital relationship row cost him his job

Takudzwa Masamba says he lost his job after his relationship with Patience, a mortuary student, became part of a dispute at Chief Makoni’s traditional court. Patience’s husband, Frank Tika, accused Masamba of dating his wife and contributing to the collapse of their ten-year marriage. Masamba acknowledged that he had been in a relationship with Patience but disputed knowing she was married. Tika went to the court seeking three beasts from Masamba. He said he had paid US$2,500 in bride price and had a child with Patience. According to Tika, he helped secure her training place at Rusape General Hospital, where she later met Masamba. He said he discovered the relationship after seeing pictures on her phone and alleged that Patience’s parents pushed him to accept a divorce token. Tika told the court that Masamba contacted him after learning that the affair had come to light. He said Masamba claimed not to know Patience was married, and that Tika asked him to end the relationship. Tika alleged that Masamba responded defiantly. He also said Masamba had been dismissed from his job over the matter. Masamba gave a different account. He said he met Patience while visiting the hospital to collect bodies for clients and that she told him she was single. He said he had told her that he was married, but that he loved her. Masamba also said Patience had told him she had given Tika a divorce token. He denied that Tika had proof of their relationship. Masamba further alleged that Tika had made threats against him and said he feared for his safety. He told the court he had lost his job because of the dispute. The accounts presented at the hearing therefore differ over what Patience told Masamba about her marital status, while Tika’s request for compensation brought the matter before the traditional leader.