Online Reporter
IN a fight more fitting for livestock than human beings, two Nyanga cousins are locked in a bitter feud over 86 bundles of thatching grass.
The row has even spilled into Chief Saunyama’s community court.
What began as a simple misunderstanding over 86 bundles of thatching grass has escalated into allegations of theft, violence and abuse, exposing deep-seated tensions within the family.
The feud between Rudo Mukura and her cousin, Chakanetsa Ziko, has left their family divided, leading to the matter landing before Chief Saunyama’s community court.
The 86 bundles of grass, painstakingly cut by Mukura, were allegedly taken and sold by Ziko without her consent, sparking the latest episode in a longstanding dispute.
“I cut the grass with the intention of selling some of it, and use the rest to thatch my elderly mother’s hut. Ziko stole and sold it. This is not the first time he has done this. Whenever I work hard to gather the grass, he waits for me to finish, then claims ownership. When I confronted him, he attacked me instead of apologising,” Mukura told the court.
Mukura went on to reveal that Ziko’s abusive behaviour extends beyond the theft of her grass.
“He threatens to kill me if I confront him. He has also made disgusting remarks, saying I should get married so that my husband can ‘muzzle me’. He constantly questions why I stay with my mother instead of being married. I suspect that he has an unnatural interest in me, despite us being related,” she said.
Mukura told the court that she is a divorcee, and now stays with her mother, something that infuriates her cousin. The woman also accused Ziko of using intimidation to evade justice.
“He boasts that no one can arrest him because he has connections everywhere. He says even if we report him to the police, nothing will happen to him. We now fear for our safety but we cannot remain silent any longer.”
Mukura’s mother, Lea Munyota, provided further testimony that painted Ziko as a violent and dangerous man. The elderly Munyota described an incident where Ziko allegedly assaulted her when she tried to intervene during one of his attacks on Mukura.
“He told me he would kill me. He grabbed my new hoe and attempted to strike me with it. If I had not dodged, I would not be alive today. He left with my hoe. He is still in possession of the hoe. That hoe belonged to my late husband, and I want it back. Ziko has no respect for anyone,” Munyota said, her voice trembling.
The two women believe the root cause of the conflict is a piece of land that Mukura inherited from her late aunt.
According to them, Ziko is determined to grab the land and has resorted to dirty tactics to assert his claim.
“This land is mine but Ziko refuses to respect that. Instead, he uses violence and intimidation to try to force me off it. That is the same land from which he collects my thatching grass.
“He claims a girl child cannot inherit land, yet that land belonged to my aunt, who was also a woman. If my aunt could inherit it, why can I not also inherit it from her? I have asked him this on several occasions, but instead of addressing the issue, he attacks me. His behaviour is unacceptable, and we need justice,” said Mukura.
Despite being summoned to appear before Chief Saunyama’s court, Ziko failed to attend, prompting the chief to adjourn the matter to December 15 to ensure his presence.
Addressing the court, Chief Saunyama did not hide his disapproval of Ziko’s alleged actions.
“This court is deeply concerned by the allegations presented here. Stealing from family members, assaulting women and making threats of violence are serious offences.
“If these accusations are true, Ziko has not only broken the law, but has also violated our cultural values and brought shame upon his family. Such behaviour cannot be tolerated.
“We must protect the vulnerable among us. This court will ensure that justice is served, no matter who the offender is. No one is above the law, and anyone who thinks otherwise will soon learn that this is not the case,” said Chief Saunyama. — Manica Post
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The bishop, the wife and the sin
In a bizarre and disturbing case involving suspected use of juju, a local church leader is accused of raping his neighbour and church mate while his wife allegedly watched.
Jimmy Chateerera (45), a bishop of the Zvidozvavashe Apostolic Unity Church in Waterfalls, reportedly pretended to be possessed by a spirit, as he spoke in different voices.
He claimed having sex with the woman was the only way of healing her stomach pains.
The client had been invited to Bishop Chateerera’s house by his wife.
The wife witnessed the rape sometime in August.
After the rape, Bishop Chateerera threatened his client that she would be barren or was going to suffer from cancer if she was to disclose the rape.
The victim did not disclose the rape and later got married to another man.
After she became pregnant, the victim experienced stomach pains, sought help from Bishop Chateerera again, and was given a drink with some substances and suffered a miscarriage.
She suspected the man of cloth was responsible and disclosed the rape to her husband, then lodged a police report against him.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the case, saying Bishop Chateerera had been already arrested over a separate case involving indecent assault.
“Police are investigating a rape case involving a church leader,” said Insp Chakanza.
“The accused person, who is already in police custody for another case of indecent assault, was further charged for rape.
“He raped the complainant once with protection.
“All this happened in the presence of the accused person’s wife, who remained quiet.
“After the abuse, the accused threatened the complainant not to tell anyone or else she would become barren and suffer from a cancerous disease,” said Insp Chakanza. — H-Metro
