35 years of paternity doubts

Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A BITTER family dispute over the paternity of two adult children has resurfaced at Chief Mutasa’s community court, with relatives demanding DNA tests despite their elder brother’s insistence that the children are his biological offspring.
The matter came to light after Bernard Bingura, who is based in Harare, brought his sister-in-law, Rebecca Murauro, before the traditional court, claiming that questions surrounding the paternity of two children, now aged 35 and 28, have lingered within the family for decades.
Bernard said family members have long harboured doubts over whether the children were fathered by his elder brother, Ernest Bingura, and wanted the matter settled once and for all through scientific testing.
However, he said Ernest has consistently rejected those doubts and maintains that both children are his.
Bernard said controversy surrounded the relationship from its inception.
“My brother’s marriage to Rebecca was never fully accepted by some family members. When she became pregnant with the first child, questions were raised about the child’s paternity. Despite these concerns, my brother stood by her and insisted the child was his. His first wife eventually left the marriage,” he said.
Bernard alleged that suspicions within the family intensified after the birth of the second child.
“Both children reportedly refused to breastfeed, and among some family members that was viewed as a sign that they might not belong to our bloodline. Those doubts have never disappeared, which is why we are requesting DNA tests,” he said.
He further levelled a series of allegations against Murauro, including claims that she assaulted his late father and insulted his mother nearly three decades ago.
“My brother’s wife allegedly struck our father with an axe and insulted our mother. Even years later, our father would still speak about the incident, and say he had never recovered from it,” said Bernard.
He also claimed that tensions escalated when Murauro allegedly brought a traditional healer to the family homestead without consulting other family members.
Bernard said the healer later demanded payment of US$300, and allegedly threatened the family after the money was not immediately paid.
“My brother eventually paid the money, but the healer had allegedly threatened that mysterious things would happen to the family. Some of the problems we have experienced began after that incident,” he claimed.

However, Ernest dismissed the allegations as baseless, and accused his younger brother of waging a long-running campaign against his wife.
“I am the father of those children. I was married to this woman and I know my children. No one can tell me otherwise.
“My brother is lying. My wife never assaulted our father and never insulted our mother. Certain members of the family have never accepted her and have spent years trying to destroy our marriage,” he said.
Ernest suggested that resentment stemming from the collapse of his first marriage could be fuelling the dispute.
“My first wife left many years ago and perhaps some people have never moved on. My brother has three wives of his own, yet he wants me to chase away my wife and remain alone. I do not understand his motives,” he said.
The court also heard testimony from Fungai Bingura, Ernest’s daughter from his first marriage.
Fungai claimed that a man identified as Isaac Mazungura once approached her, and alleged that he was the biological father of one of her half-siblings.
“He told me that faith healers had directed him to claim the child. He said he was the father of my half-sister, although he also stated that the second child was not his. He later passed away,” she said.
Murauro strongly rejected the allegations, and accused her husband’s relatives of targeting her and her children out of jealousy.
“The children being discussed belong to my husband. The problem is that my children are doing well in life and some people are unhappy about it. These accusations are driven by jealousy and old grudges,” she said.
“I have never assaulted my in-laws, insulted them or brought a traditional healer to their homestead. These claims are completely false.”
After hearing submissions from both sides, Chief Mutasa said the family could not force DNA testing without the consent of Ernest, who remains the legally recognised father of the two children.
“As things stand, Ernest recognises these children as his own and no one can compel DNA testing without proper grounds.
“If there is a person who claims to be the biological father of either child, that individual must come before the court and present the claim. At that point, the court can consider referring the matter for DNA testing,” said Chief Mutasa.
The chief subsequently adjourned the matter to Saturday for further proceedings.