Court rap for abusive mother-in-law

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu
A BULILIMA woman has been granted a protection order against her mother-in-law whom she alleged was in the habit of abusing her.

Constance Ncube told the court said her mother-in-law, Fiona Ndlovu recently moved into her homestead in Dombodema area and was harassing her.

Ncube said Ndlovu was taking advantage as her son works in South Africa. She appealed to the court to warn her mother-in-law against threatening, insulting or abusing her.

a�?Ia��m not living peacefully in my house anymore because of my mother-in-law. She harasses me whenever she feels like it, she insults and even threatens me. I respect her but she is failing to do the same to me.

a�?I allowed her to come and live at my homestead because I viewed her as a mother figure. In some occasions she takes my house keys, locks me outside and denies me entry into my own home. My husband works in South Africa and I have tried to engage him over the matter but he has failed to resolve it,a�? said Ms Ncube.

She said her mother-in-law was a violent woman and she was now living in fear as she could hurt her.

In response Ndlovu denied the allegations and insisted that she was living in peace with her daughter-in-law. She said there was no strain in their relationship as they were getting along well.

Ndlovu said her daughter-in-law probably did not want to stay with her anymore and was indirectly advising her to move out.

Plumtree magistrate Taurai Manwere granted Ncubea��s application and warned Ndlovu against threatening, abusing and insulting her daughter-in-law. He also advised the two women to live in peace.

a�?Ita��s clear that you two women have serious conflicts because there is no way that your daughter-in-law can come to court and claim that you are harassing her.

a�?I expect you Ndlovu to go back and live in peace with her. If you feel that you cana��t cope while living under the same roof then I suggest that you live in separate homesteads,a�? he said.