In an exclusive interview with the Weekend Post this week at their family home in Marlborough, the 11 women poured out their hearts, showing unbridled love for their jailed husband.
Contrary to society’s belief, the women said that they were waiting for their husband, whom they said is incomparable to any other man.
“Kumira tomira, hapana kwatinoenda (We will wait and we will not go anywhere). We signed that till death do us part and not till jail do us part,” Gumbura’s third wife Tecla said.
She concurred with the other 10 wives that the arrest was part of marriage’s trials and tribulations, adding that before the end of the 40 years, they trusted and believed that Gumbura would be out of prison.
They said even in the Bible, it was not specified that a relationship would end once one partner gets jailed. “We love our husband,” the women said in chorus. “If you want your husband, you would wait for him. It’s only two years since he was incarcerated,” one of Gumbura’s wives, Chipo said.
His other wife Amadeus could not be left out, as she passionately claimed that she had all the courage to wait for Gumbura.
“I love him,” she said. The eldest of Gumbura’s wives is 54, while the youngest is only 26, but all the women expressed satisfaction with the man who made headlines during the last quarter of 2013.
Gumbura’s youngest wife Bester took the opportunity to dispel swelling claims that she was pregnant.
“I was angry when I heard the news because the love that I have for my husband is deeper than the ocean. I will shame all the detractors,” she said.
“Kana wakapa mhiko (if you took a vow), like what I did, you will wait for your husband and that is how I should show my love to him. I am a Christian and I will stick to the vows that I made to my husband.”
Soon after being jailed, Gumbura was branded a monster. His name was associated with bad treatment of women, but his wives painted an opposite picture of the man.
They said there was no man who could match the super dad’s love.
One of his wives — Pretty — summed up Gumbura’s extraordinary love that has kept the women waiting.
“I think the importance of a relationship is happiness. When I got to know Gumbura, I was very happy. Ndakamirira murume wangu (representing my husband), I am cultivating the art of radiating happiness,” Pretty said, showing no regrets for being one of Gumbura’s wives.
His other wife, Pamela, said Gumbura meant the world to her.
“My husband showed me love. He gave me everything. I don’t have confidence that I would find the happiness that I got from him from any other man. He always would come down to my level.
“I am content with that kind of life and no matter what it takes, I will wait for my husband,” she said, smiling feverishly.
For the past two years, the women have been living alone, while their husband is in prison, an aspect that raised many eyebrows as to how they were possibly quenching their sexual needs.
During his trial, Gumbura was portrayed as a sex expert, with all the women confirming that he knew how to handle a woman in bed.
Against this background, the women said that this was not a time for them to think about sex. They said that their main issue at the moment was to pray hard for Gumbura to be released from prison.
“Zvinonetsa kufara mumwe wako achitambura (It is difficult to enjoy yourself when your husband is suffering),” Amadeus said.
“U§nenge wakufunga time yamakapedza mese mumarriage (you would think of the time that you spent together) and this is the time that he needs me the most. This is the time to show him love,” his second wife Queen said.
She said that in this day and age of HIV/Aids, it was not proper for one to be unfaithful. Gumbura’s first wife Tafadzwa said prayers were keeping her strong during this difficult time.
“There is a time for everything and when you become aware of that, you would not think much about the issue of conjugal rights. We keep praying, we are a Christian family,” she said.
Asked on how they had managed to stay together as a team, the women, said that airing out differences and discussing through issues assisted them to stay close as a family. They said that Gumbura’s arrest had brought them closer and assisted them in working as a team.
Queen said what was happening to Gumbura was not anything new, considering that even in the Bible, apostles were arrested and released at some point.
“There are so many apostles who were arrested in the Bible. Gumbura ari kusimbiswa (he is being strengthened) to prove that he is a man of God.
With a dream of siring 100 children, Gumbura was sent to prison, with only 33, two of whom were born after he was already in prison.
He has, however, since launched an appeal which is still pending before the High Court. He is also standing trial on allegations of masterminding a foiled prison break. —Tendai Kamhungira
