Online Reporter
Weekender Reporter
A RUSAPE man and his wife are living in constant fear of physical and verbal attacks from their neighbour, who is allegedly accusing them of sending snakes to him in a row over an avocado tree whose branches are crossing into the latter’s yard.
This emerged at Chief Makoni’s community court where Cephas Ndakurirwa reported his neighbour, Stanley Sunguru, accusing him of insulting and attacking him and his wife.
Cephas told the court that Sunguru went further to forcibly physically harass his wife, actions he said he was not comfortable with.
Ndakurirwa did not want any payment from Sunguru, but proof that he is a wizard and that he be ordered to stop the attacks and insults.
Despite being properly served, Sunguru absconded the hearing.
“On June 16, 2026 Sunguru came to my house at G12 Vengere. He claimed that I am sending snakes to his house. There is a tree on our landlord’s stand close to the fence that separates his house from Sunguru’s house. I informed the landlord about the issue and he instructed me to cut off the branches that were protruding out of his yard. I did that.
“To my surprise Sunguru returned and again accused me of being a wizard and sending snakes to him. He attempted to beat me, but I managed to avoid the blows. He turned to my wife whom he struck with a stick. He grabbed her by the collar and hugged her shouting obscenities. He said there was nothing special about me as I was just a tenant at the house. I am no longer living in peace because of his actions.
“I thought bringing the matter here, he would attend and tell this court how I am bewitching him. He belittled me by attacking and insulting my wife. I recorded videos of him insulting me and he seems so determined with his attacks,” he said.
Ndakurirwa said Sunguru’s actions were demeaning her social standing in the community as he attacked her womanhood in the presence of community members, including children.
“Sunguru has crossed the line and we cannot let him continue with his actions. He is an adult with a wife and children. He shouts obscenities at me in front of people. His actions can cause me to lose respect in the community. We grew up knowing that certain words cannot be said, but he freely directs them at me. The behaviour must be punished so that others do not emulate him,” she said.
Chief Makoni found Sunguru guilty of witchcraft accusations and ordered him to pay Ndakurirwa one beast. He was further fined three goats for physically attacking Mrs Ndakurirwa. For absconding the hearing, he was fined three goats. He was further ordered to meet the cost of suit, US$65.
