Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Correspondent
THE Harare Civil Court has issued a protection order in favour of Theresa Maringambire against her nephew, Lianda Mairosi, following allegations of abuse and property damage in an inheritance dispute.
Magistrate Ashton Dube ruled that Maringambire had the right to peaceful occupation of her late father’s house after she testified that Mairosi had been violent and destructive in his efforts to claim the property.
Maringambire told the court that following the death of her brother — Mairosi’s father — the nephew began claiming exclusive rights to the house where she has lived most of her life.
“He claims I have no right to stay in this house because I am a woman,” she said. “He says the property belongs to men in the family.”
The court heard that Mairosi allegedly vandalised the property, broke windows, destroyed furniture, and subjected his aunt to daily insults.
Maringambire also accused him of physical assault after he falsely labelled her a witch in their neighbourhood.
In his defence, Mairosi argued that according to traditional customs, he was the rightful heir as the surviving male descendant.
“In our culture, a woman is supposed to be married and live with her husband,” he told the court. He accused his aunt of abuse but provided no evidence to support his claims.
While urging both parties to seek mediation for the underlying property dispute, Magistrate Dube stated that violence and destruction of property would not be tolerated.
The protection order ensures Maringambire’s right to peaceful occupation of the residence while the inheritance matter is resolved.
