Tussle over Pfumvudza holes

25 Feb, 2022 - 00:02 0 Views
Tussle over Pfumvudza holes Planting is in full throttle in Manicaland following the onset of the rains this week, with thousands of farmers who received inputs under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme expressing optimism for a successful agricultural season

The ManicaPost

 

Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Correspondent

HELL hath no fury like a scorned woman, even more so for one who would have toiled in anticipation of the mother of all harvests.

After sweating it out as she dug holes in accordance with the high yielding Pfumvudza farming concept, a Nyanga woman is seething with anger as her husband sent her packing before she could enjoy the fruits of your labor.

An enraged Edna Chiwaye appeared before acting Chief Saunyama’s court last week on Friday as she demanded restitution of her labour from her in-laws.

Chiwaye claims that the Chitsara family abused her by making her prepare their Pfumvudza plot and moulding their bricks, only for their son to dump her.

“This family used me like a slave. I would work up at around 4am each morning to do all household chores before going to the plot to dig Pfumvudza holes. After that, I moulded bricks for them with my child strapped on my back.

“After using me, they allowed their son to kick me out. They did not even consider that I have their grandchild. These people are heartless,” fumed Chiwaye.

She said she moulded 15 000 bricks and said she is entitled to a third of them.

“Those bricks should be shared equally between myself, my father-in-law and my mother-in-law as we worked together. I was the one who contributed much of the labour,” said Chiwaye.

She further said she is also entitled to a third of the family’s harvest as she toiled in their fields.

However, her former father-in-law, Naison Chitsara, claimed that during her marriage with his son, Chiwaye was stubborn.

“She only dug those holes then refused to plant and weed the crop, claiming that it was too much hard work. We actually forced her to dig the holes. She is a very bad example to her own children and even my young children,” said the elderly man.
He told the court that on countless occasions, Chiwaye was caught badmouthing the Chitsara family.

“She is a rumour monger, and that is why my son divorced her. She is now claiming a share of the bricks, yet we worked together. The bricks are for my house and not hers. I do not understand why she needs these bricks,” he said.

However, acting Chief Saunyama ordered the Chitsara family to give Chiwaye 5 000 bricks and part of their harvest as compensation for her labour.

“Despite all the bad things you say she did, she is the mother of your grandchild and she is looking after that child. The child needs to be fed and that maize will not benefit the mother only, but your grandchild as well. I advise you to give her something after harvesting your maize. She should be allowed to collect part of the bricks you moulded together,” ruled acting Chief Saunyama.

 

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