Tinashe Mlambo
Weekender Reporter
Fed up by her lazy daughter-in-law who is good at eating and sleeping, saw a Sakubva woman dragging her to Mutare Civil Court, applying for a peace order.
Linda Mutema and Sinikiwe Mashunja appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato, who dismissed the application.
Mutema described her daughter-in-law, Mashunja as a good for nothing woman who fails to fend for herself.
“I don’t hate my son’s wife, but I can’t stay with her anymore. It is now two years since my son’s passing on.
“ I have been supporting her financially and emotionally ever since.
“However, she does nothing, save for eating and sleeping. She has no motivation to improve her life. I have tried to encourage her to go to school or get a job, but she refuses.
“I have even offered to help her find employment or enrol at school, but she just shrugs it off.
“It is like she is given up on life. I have been patient and understanding, thinking that she just wanted more time to grieve her late husband, but now I have reached my limit.
“She is still young as she is only 30-years-old, and does not have any children. She can start a new life and remarry if she wants to,” said Mutema.
She added: “I have tried to be a good mother-in-law, but I need to prioritise my own well-being. I deserve better than to be taken advantage of like this.
“She should be concerned about improving her life.
“If she continues loafing around, I will be left with no option, but to re-evaluate our living situation.
“I wish she would open up to me about her struggles, and we can work together to find solutions. Maybe she has some hidden talent or passion that could give me new hope for her future. But until then, I need to think about myself. I have imagined her surprising me by taking initiatives and finding a new purpose, or just helping more around the house, but so far, that is proving to be just a dream.”
Responding to the allegations, Mashunja agreed with her mother-in-law that time was ripe for them to part ways.
“I am not supposed to continue staying in my mother-in-law’s house. In fact, I have long wanted to return to my parents’ home. Her decision to involve the court makes things easier for me. I have stayed with her out of love and appreciation, but we cannot continue pretending that everything is fine when it is not.
“I have felt trapped and suffocated over the years. I am relieved that the situation has come to a head, and I can finally make my move. I am looking forward to starting a new chapter in my own space, where I can focus on my own well-being and happiness.
“If she had been more understanding and supportive, I might have considered staying longer. But her constant criticism and dismissiveness have taken a toll on me. I have tried to talk to her about it to no avail,” said Mashunja.
She added: “Maybe if we had worked together to find solutions, things could have been different.
“But now, I see this as an opportunity to break free and start afresh. I can finally pursue my own interests and goals without feeling guilty or anxious. I can create a life that truly reflects who I am, and what I want. Of course, there is a part of me that worries about how she will cope without me.”
