The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
A TRADITIONAL court has come to the rescue of an elderly Makoni woman who was being chased away from her matrimonial home by her husband and son.
Gogo Alfreda Mbuva of Gowakowa Village dragged her husband, Sekuru Lazarus Mbuva and their son, Charles, to Chief Makoni’s court, also demanding that the two return her 24 herd of cattle, a generator and pipes taken by Charles without her consent.
Gogo Mbuva said Sekuru Mbuva is an abusive husband who regularly chases her from home.
She said when she returned home after being chased away, she discovered that her husband had given their son the cattle and a generator without her consent.
Charles refused to return the property.
“My husband is very abusive, especially when he is drunk. He always insults me, telling that I have nowhere to report since my brother passed on a few years ago.
“He took the cattle and generator and gave them to Charles without my consent. They have since sold two beasts and I got nothing from the proceeds, yet I played a role in raising that herd.
“I water the fields manually, yet Charles is clinging on to my generator. My husband says I do not own anything. He insults me in the presence of my daughters-in-law and grandchildren,” she said.
Sekuru Mbuva denied abusing his wife, but said she should not have a say on the cattle as he inherited them from his late father’s estate.
“She is lying that I abuse her. I got the cattle from my late father so she should not interfere on what I do with them. They are not hers,” charged the old man.
Charles, a fifth born in a family of eight, also denied harassing his mother.
However, he admitted that he is clinging on to his parents’ property.
Sekuru and Gogo Mbuva’s first born, Wonder, told the court that their parents worked together to acquire the property they have.
“They jointly worked as husband and wife to acquire the property they have. It is not proper for one party to dispose part of the property without the knowledge and consent of the other.
“The fight between our parents is embarrassing to us as their children. What Charles is doing is equally disturbing because he is teaming up with our father to torment our mother. My father is a drunkard who has a very loose tongue,” Wonder told the court.
The traditional court ruled that Sekuru Mbuva and Charles should return the cattle within a week.
Charles was also ordered to return the generator and pipes in August after harvesting his wheat.
“You are people of advanced age and we do not expect you to be fighting. You now have great grandchildren and you lose dignity when you quarrel.
“No one is allowed to dispose the property without consulting the other party. Charles, you are creating problems for yourself by harassing your mother. You must not take sides in your parents’ fights.
“The cattle must be returned within a week and the generator in August. Go and stay in peace as a family,” ruled Chief Makoni.
