Radio personality, motivational speaker, counsellor and ex-nurse, Criselda Kananda-Dudumashe has alleged that her husband, Siyolo Festival Dudumashe physically abused her on Monday evening.
In a two-part revelation on Instagram this morning, Criselda has shocked the nation with details of how her lover has turned into a “monster”.
“I have been battered and beaten. I thought I have an understanding, a knowing of fearing the one you love. For a good 19 years it seemed like I had overcome the abuse. I made my 3 beautiful daughters the center of my world and promised them to NEVER again expose them to a violent and abusive home,” she began.
WATCH: CRISELDA’S 700K GIFT TO HERSELF
This is in reference to her previous relationship which also turned out to be an abusive one.
“I remember: when he would call me names, slap me for not being jealous. Tell me that if I leave him no one will ever love me I'm stuck with him,” she said in May 2018.
At the time, she also took the opportunity to let the nation know that she is now married to a man who is different.
ICYMI: Criselda urges women to leave abusive relationships
“I'm now married to my friend, cheerleader, comforter, confidante, skhokhosam, my everyday crush. Thank you Siyolo Festival Dudumashe for loving my past hurts away. We are not perfect but are committed to giving our best our way,” she said.
But unfortunately, the “comforter” has now turned into Criselda’s worst nightmare.
“When what appeared to be a soft-spoken and gentle man swept me off my feet in 2014, with a love language so different to my previous relationship, I was taken. He was attentive, loving, available and so warm-hearted... someone who seemed not intimidated by my light, always allowing me to pursue my dreams. Signs were there but I chose to ignore them,” Criselda ended off part one.
READ ALSO: CRISELDA PULLED OFF METRO FM
In part two of her revelation, she begins by taking us back to 2017.
“In August 2017, I found myself in the middle of a social media storm, on the very issue of women abuse, my husband was the most supportive. I was laid off work for months, he was in full emotional support. Once I went back to work in January 2018, there was a change in his mannerisms, in his language, but I paid no mind,” she said.
She then spoke about how testing, as we all know, 2018 was for her.
CRISELDA APOLOGISES TO THE GAY COMMUNITY
“2018 for us was a true test, and I still stayed giving it my all. In all of that I experienced less & less of that gentle giant I fell in love with,” she went on.
And then, the explosive allegation.
“Yesterday... Revealed a different side to my Prince Charming. We woke up, exchanged unpleasant words, but I just pressed on to get to work by 12noon, not knowing that I was to walk right back home just after 4pm to a raging monster out for blood,” she said.
ICYMI: SCAMMED CRISELDA THOUGHT SHE'S HELPING A STUDENT
“Yes, yesterday on 21 January 2019, my husband raised his hand on me and beat me... With the work that I do, in part advocating for women in abusive relationships and having previously lived through abuse, I know that it’s a beginning with no end. His hit today was one too many,” she continued.
Criselda has laid a charge of domestic violence against Siyolo but no word as yet whether he has been arrested or not.
“That rage might have been my first experience with him, but I know from my work that if I stay it won’t be the last... Sadly, within hours of laying the charge, media queries came, as even our protection services violate our privacy as public figures. I choose to own my narrative, thus I wrote this note to my friends & supporters. My family and I humbly request the privacy and space to deal with this tragedy. Keep us in your prayers,” she ended off.
Yesterday, Criselda all but confirmed the rumours of physical abuse that were already doing the rounds when she said: “Broken into tiny lil pieces....there’s a thin line between love and hate” on Insta.