Daughter sues father over abuse allegations

Spiwe Sarakunze

Herald Reporter

Dion Jiri, a 20-year-old woman, has taken legal action against her father, Arnold Jiri, seeking a peace order amid allegations of physical and emotional abuse.

Dion told the Harare Civil Court that her father routinely insults her and has physically assaulted her on multiple occasions.

The incident that prompted the court action occurred last Saturday evening when Dion alleges that Arnold kicked her in the stomach and punched her, resulting in visible injuries, including a swollen eye.

Dion further testified that her father has instructed her mother to check whether she was still a virgin, an instruction that has intensified the distress in their household.

“He kicked me and I got injured. He accused me of being a satanist and said I am responsible for his suffering,” Dion recounted in court.

She narrated a recent disturbing incident when her father allegedly poured urine into her food to prevent her from eating and expressed a desire to force her out of the house.

“He wanted to chase me away. He banged the door when I was naked after bathing and threatened me against reporting him to the police, warning that there would be no place for me in the house,” she said.

Arnold denied all allegations arguing that Dion was the source of trouble in their home. He accused her of disrespecting him and insisted that he was merely trying to discipline her.

“She was the one who ran away from home last year and returned recently, challenging my authority,” he told the court.

Arnold alleged that he discovered Dion cooking with a toothbrush and that she admitted to bringing him misfortune, leading him to question her character.

He also said that sometimes his daughter does not sleep at home, asserting she claims to be a dancer for an unnamed Zimdancehall artist.

Presiding magistrate Ms Meenal Naratom granted the peace order in favour of Dion, instructing Arnold not to assault, insult, or engage in any violent behaviour towards her to maintain peace in the household.

Ms Naratom advised Dion, who is over 18, to seek alternative living arrangements to avoid further conflict with her father.

This case highlights the complexities of family dynamics and the serious implications of abuse within households.