Wife accuses Deputy Minister of adultery

Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 29 October 2009

DEPUTY Defence Minister Victor Simunja is embroiled in a messy divorce with his wife in which he is accusing her of sexually starving him over a long period of time while she counter-claims that he was a player.

Margret DikeingeSimunja neeShilongo countered that the Deputy Defence Minister denied her conjugal rights (the rights, especially to sexual relations, regarded as exercisable in law by each partner in marriage) and disrespected her by calling her a witch.

In his claim papers Simunja also accuses his wife offailing to respect him both at home and outside by swearing and insulting him in the presence of the couple’s children and acquaintances.

Simunja says that Shilongo doesnot play her role as a parent and as a result fails to provide for the children at home, is violent and ever inviting confrontations and deserting him.

The lawmaker also accuses his wife of maliciously and falsely tarnishing his name by causing negative stories that were published in The Namibian of 19 December 2004 and Informanté of 8 September 2006 and that of 25 January 2007.

“The Defendant has since indulged and engaged in inviting media personnel to come and take photographs of our common home including the inside, which actions endangerthe plaintiff’s life and evades his privacy,” Simunja said in the court papers.

Simunja also accuses his wife of removing almost 75% of utensils and other goods for reasons unknown to him.

However the case was struck off the court roll after Simunja failed to turn up for court on Tuesday.

In her counter claim papers submitted at the High Court where Simunja is seeking restitution of conjugal rights or a decree of divorce Shilongo accuses the Defence Deputy Minister of having an adulterous relationship with one Maria Texteira during December 2003, which was still persisting.

Shilongo accuses Simunja of having other extra-marital relationships with various other women.

Simunja’s wife accused him of denying her marital privileges, demonstrating no love and affection towards her, assaulting her physically on various occasions in which criminal cases have been laid with the Namibian Police and also failing to communicate with her.

“The Plaintiff, insulted, belittled and swore at the defendant on various occasions in the presence of the minor children and other persons,” she says.

Shilongo claims that Simunja stays away from home for long periods of time without providing a reasonable explanation to her while showing no interest in continuing the marital relationship.

Shilongo concludes in her counter claim by accusing Simunja of deserting her adding that from their three children the couple had together she must be awarded custody and control.

She has asked the court to grant her a final order of divorce or restitutionof conjugal rights, failure to comply a decree of divorce.

She says the court must order Simunja to pay N$1,000 maintenance for their minor child and N$1,500 for her while also paying school fees and medical aidfor the other children.