Online ReporterLaura Maposa
A HARARE woman has been given protection by the court after she became a victim of her abusive stepson.
She told the court she had been living in fear of her stepson, who would assault her, whenever he was drunk.
Earnest Furusa told the Harare Civil Court her stepson, Ronald Mutero, 25, even went to the extent of threatening her with death.
She said Ronald had been giving her problems, since he started taking alcohol, at the age of 16.
“The respondent is my stepson and we reside at the same house,” said Furusa.
“I want a protection order against him and also for him to be evicted from my house.
“He assaults me, destroys property and sells some of my valuables to buy alcohol.
“He sold his siblings’ clothes and when I asked him about it, he threatened to kill me.
“The last time I sent him to buy gas, he sold the gas cylinder and came home drunk claiming that he was robbed.
“I had to buy firewood to prepare supper.”
In his defence, Ronald said:
“We have a sour relationship with my stepmother, but I am pleading with her to forgive me.
“I will stop stealing and selling her property and also stop insulting her.
“However, I am not moving out of my father’s house.
“Where will I go if I move out?
“We are both to blame for most of the fights and I also blame alcohol.
“I have nowhere else to go since I am jobless,” said Ronald.
Magistrate Rutendo Machingura granted the peace order in Furusa’s favour.
Mathew Masinge