The ManicaPost
Tinashe Mlambo
Weekender Reporter
A MARANGE man recently approached Mutare Civil Court seeking a peace order against his brother who was threatening him with death over a US$20 debt.
Moses Mhlanga said he now fears for life following a series of threats from his half-brother, Arnold Mukonowenhata.
The two appeared at Mutare Civil Court, where the applicant told the presiding magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato that he is living in fear of being killed by Mukonowenhata.
Mr Chipato ruled in favour of Mhlanga and granted the peace order which is valid for the next five years.
Mhlanga said his erstwhile brother often issues death threats when he is drunk.
“Your Worship, my brother, Arnold usually comes to my house when drunk, insulting and threatening to kill me.
“On March 7, he came to my house at midnight while drunk and demanded that I pay him US$20 he claims I owe him.
“However, it is the other way, he is the one who owes me money. I am now living in fear.
“I fear for my life, and I need the court to intervene and stop him from harassing me. That is the essence of my application for a peace order,” he said.
Mhlanga said he had warned Mukonowenhata to desist from harassing him several times, to no avail.
As a result, he had to move from their parents’ house to avoid him.
“I have been dealing with my brother’s intolerable behaviour for a long time.
“I have tried to warn him against it, but he never stopped. I had to move out of our family homestead with my wife because he would assault her.
“Even after we moved out, he still follows us to our new place to cause problems. I don’t know what else I can do,” he said.
Mukonowenhata denied the allegations and insisted that he had no problem keeping peace with his brother if he gets his money back.
He said Mhlanga was accusing him of being violent to avoid giving him back his money.
“He owes me US$20, and it has been five months since he borrowed it. I don’t have a problem keeping peace with him because all I want is my money.
“I have never assaulted his wife as he alleges. I don’t owe him any money as he counter-claims — it is all lies.
“I know it is wrong to go to his house in my drunken stupor, but I only do that because it is when I am in that state that I have the courage to ask for my money.
“I have no intention of harming him because he is my brother. He just has to pay what he owes me so that we can put all this behind us,” he said.
