Bitter inheritance battle unfolds

 

Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter

A BITTER inheritance dispute has unfolded at Chief Saurombe’s community court, pitting two Chimanimani brothers against each other over their late father’s prophetic garments and paraphernalia.

Johanne Simango (24) was reprimanded by the court for seizing his late father’s white church gown, cross, and spiritual rod from his elder brother, Emmanuel (40).

The dispute, which dates back to 2016, recently escalated after Johanne accused Emmanuel of wizardry.

Johanne, who stayed with their father at the time of his death, insisted that the sacred paraphernalia rightfully belong to him.

He claims that he is the true heir, not Emmanuel, whom he described as a ‘son from a previous marriage.’

“These things belong to me because I was my father’s first born son with his new wife. I was staying with him when he passed away.

“My father went missing, and died five days later. I was the one who was there with him during his last moments. How can I not be the heir?” quipped Johanne. The deceased was a well-known apostolic sect prophet, who died in 2016, and had his spiritual possessions — rod, gown, and cross —inherited by Emmanuel as his first son.

 

“This has now become the bone of contention between the two brothers. Emmanuel, who was only left with his father’s axe following the seizure, told the court that he was originally recognised as the heir during their father’s funeral —being the first son. He said he was later stripped of the paraphernalia in a bizarre claim of spiritual authority by his young brother, Johanne.

“He wants to be a prophet, and believes having the garments and the rod will make him one.

“I was given the paraphernalia at my father’s funeral as the firstborn son, but did not fight back when he grabbed them from me.

“I said to myself maybe he knows what is best for the family,” said Emmanuel.

He also said the real issue only flared up recently when Johanne dragged him to court, accusing him of wizardry, and forcing him to accompany him to traditional healers.

“Now he says I should accompany him to a traditional healer for cleansing as the family head. He stole my birth right, so let him carry the responsibilities that come with it. He installed himself as the head of the family, and should face the music” he added.

Despite efforts by Chief Saurombe and his court to encourage reconciliation, Johanne flatly refused to return the inherited paraphernalia he seized from Emmanuel.

 

He also refused to apologise for his actions.

“I will not do that. Those things belong to me. Why should he have them? I will keep them until my father’s spirit returns, and name the rightful heir,” he vowed.

 

Chief Saurombe and his assessors expressed disappointment in Johanne’s act of defiance, warning that by clinging to spiritual objects without unity and peace, he would bring more harm than honour upon himself.

“It is not just about who stayed with your father or who was born of which wife. Inheritance, especially of spiritual leadership, must be handled with wisdom and by consensus. You are dividing the family,” said Chief Saurombe.

Chief Saurombe advised Emmanuel to return the axe he still has to Johanne, declaring that heirship had already shifted, albeit under questionable circumstances.

“Emmanuel, you must go and pray as your father’s spirit might be aggrieved by what this boy did.

“He stripped you of your birth right, and there is nothing more you can do. Johanne is now the elder in terms of family responsibilities, and he must act like one. He cannot turn around and ask you to accompany him to traditional healers. That duty now rests with him, but he should know that your late father’s belongings are spiritual, and should have been given to the oldest son and not him,” he said.

Chief Saurombe urged the brothers to restore peace in the family.

“Live in peace and stop dragging each other to court. These matters are spiritual and sacred.
Carry them with honour, not pride. Just know that your father might be turning in his grave because of what Johanne did to his brother,” he said. Despite the chief’s advice, Johanne remained adamant.“I just want my father’s spirit to speak. Until then, I will hold on to these items,” he vowed.