Brother threatens sister with death over inheritance

Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter
A 33-YEAR-OLD woman from Mutare’s Greenside low-density suburb, Mary Chapedza, has been granted a peace order by the Mutare Civil Court to protect her from her abusive brother, Christopher Chapedza (37).
The court heard that Christopher had subjected Mary and her children to months of abuse, threats, and harassment over their late parents’ family home.
Delivering her ruling, magistrate, Ms Thandiwe Sibanda said the evidence presented demonstrated that Mary’s life and peace of mind were under threat, and ordered Christopher to immediately cease all violent, threatening, or intimidating behaviour towards her and her children.
Mary testified in court that her brother’s behaviour had become increasingly violent and unpredictable since he took control of the family property.
She alleged that Christopher would often return home drunk, assault her and her children, and issue death threats whenever she questioned his actions.
“He sometimes comes home at midnight when everyone is asleep and starts shouting or moving around the house. He also beats my children and tells me he will kill me if I ever try to stop him. I live in fear every single day,” said Mary.
The court heard that the siblings have been staying together in the same house left by their late parents, but relations deteriorated after Christopher reportedly took possession of key household documents and began asserting full control of the property.
Mary told the court that her brother had declared the house as his own, claiming that he was the one paying rates and maintaining it.
“He acts like he owns the place, and he tells me that I have no right to stay there with my children, and that if I do not leave, he will sell the house or make our lives miserable,” said Mary.
She further told the court that Christopher often locks certain rooms, prevents her from using some household facilities, and even attempts to evict her by threatening to remove her belongings.
“At times he says the house is his because our parents trusted him more. He spends money from the property as if it belongs to him alone,” she said.
Christopher admitted having kicked his sister once, but denied the rest of the allegations.
“I gave her one kick on the leg, but that was after she provoked me. I am not a violent person. I only discipline her children when they misbehave. I cannot sit by and watch them having boyfriends at a young age,” said Christopher, adding that he was managing the property responsibly because their late parents had entrusted him with that duty.
“I am the one paying the rates and maintaining the house. I was given responsibility to take care of it. I cannot hand over control to someone who does not contribute anything,” argued Christopher.
However, Ms Sibanda ruled that Christopher’s actions amounted to harassment and intimidation.
The court found that he had abused his position of control over the family house to dominate and threaten his sister, creating a hostile living environment.
In granting the peace order, Ms Sibanda barred Christopher from assaulting, insulting, threatening, or interfering with Mary and her children.
“The respondent is hereby ordered to keep peace and desists from any violent or intimidating conduct towards the complainant. Any violation of this order will result in immediate arrest and prosecution,” ruled Ms Sibanda.
Mary expressed relief after the ruling, saying she could finally live without fear.
“I feel safe now. I just want peace for myself and my children. I hope my brother will respect the court ruling so that we can live peacefully again,” said Mary.
Christopher, however, maintained that he had been misunderstood and insisted he only wanted to safeguard the family property.
“I respect the ruling, but I am not a bad person. I just want to protect what our parents left behind,” he said.
The court also advised the siblings to seek formal administration of their late parents’ estate through the Master of the High Court to prevent further disputes over ownership and management of the family house.