shloboe boe
Danisa Masuku
SOMETIMES, after exhausting all other available means to correct a child’s wayward behaviour, seeking legal intervention through the courts becomes the last resort.
This is precisely what Topsy Mwale, an elderly woman from Bulawayo’s Derby House Flats, did.
“My last hope is in your hands Your Worship. This child Charles Mwale troubles me a lot. I was almost evicted from my flat after he banged on the door during the night making noise for my flatmates. We live in fear because he steals my money to buy njengu and dagga. He usually smokes in his room,” she said.
She also told the court that Charles allegedly harasses and ill-treats her domestic workers.
“He harasses me and threatens to beat me up. He also harasses my helpers at home. I’m begging this court to help me,” she said.
She said her troublesome son was ejected from her other house in Cowdray Park suburb after he harassed her tenants.
“For a long time, he was staying at my other house in Cowdray Park suburb with my tenants. He used to steal their items and money to buy njengu. They reported him to the police, and subsequently, he left and joined me at the flat,” she said.
However, Charles denied that he harassed his mother and stole from her.
“I have never harassed my mother. The problem with her is that she has hearing challenges. I have to speak to her in a loud voice so that she can hear me, but she would complain saying I’m harassing her,” he said.
The presiding magistrate, Challenge Mahembe, granted Mwale a protection order against her son. The order prevents Charles from verbally, economically, and emotionally abusing his mother. The order is valid for five years.
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