Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A HARARE woman has been granted a protection order against her neighbour, whom she accused of harassing and abusing her over a debt that her parents owe him for cleaning their car.
Melisa Sanele (19) appeared before Harare Civil Court magistrate Ashton Dube and outlined numerous allegations against Albert Zuze (28), a well-known car-washer in their neighbourhood.
Sanele said problems started when her family failed to pay Zuze the money it owed him for washing its car on time.
“He attacked me in front of people and threatened to make my life miserable if he did not get his money,” she claimed.
She said Zuze began visiting their home frequently, demanding what he referred to as his sweat.
Initially, Sanele said she did not want to be involved, believing her parents could resolve the issue with Zuze amicably.
However, the situation deteriorated, and Zuze started to involve her.
“Whenever he came to demand his money, he would insult me, saying I am sleeping with my own brother,” she reported.
She said the accusations of incest deeply affected her and caused her much distress because it damaged her reputation in the community.
“I can no longer walk freely in the streets where I grew up,” Sanele said.
She also accused Zuze of being physical. She said he also pushed and grabbed her. She expressed concern on why he was targeting her when she did not owe him anything.
“He harasses me for no reason. I am not even the one who owes him. I asked him to leave me alone, but he keeps coming. I am now living in fear,” she said.
Zuze denied the allegations of assault and harassment.
“I never laid a hand on her; the problem is between me and her brother, who owes me money,” he argued.
He emphasised that he worked hard for that money, washing cars for t12 hours a day and accused Sanele of interfering in his business with her brother.
Zuze alleged that Sanele often provoked him and denied ever accusing her of incest.
“I was only trying to get back what is mine,” he stated, claiming that Sanele’s allegations painted him as a violent person.
Sanele insisted that Zuze was not merely interested in recovering his money but was interested in intimidating her.
“I just want him to stop coming after me so that I can live a normal life again,” she said.
After hearing all testimonies, the court ruled in favour of Sanele, advising Zuze to approach the Small Claims Court to recover his money, rather than resorting to violence and harassment.
