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Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
A YOUNG Makoni couple was forced to seek refuge at a village head’s homestead with their 10-month-old baby after being chased away from home by their father following a dispute over domestic chores.
The father, Erum Zumba of Masvosva Village under Chief Makoni is also accused of using a sjambok to assault his 19-year-old daughter-in-law, Zvikomborero Gunda who is married to his 21-year-old son, Tashinga.
Zumba is also accused of grabbing Zvikomborero’s belongings and dumbed them at her parents’ homestead in Wedza.
In an interview with The Weekender, Zvikomborero said her father-in-law was heavy-handed on the young couple.
She said they were chased away from the Zumba homestead during the night.
“We were not co-existing with my father-in-law. He abuses us. We stay at his homestead, but we have separate fields. We do not share the same kitchen with them. He want us to work in his fields and when we do so, he confiscates all the produce, leaving us with nothing. When we concentrate on our fields, he orders us to leave his homestead.
“He once grabbed my clothes and hired a vehicle to dump them outside my parents’ homestead in Wedza. He sent messages to my father to come and take me back saying I was not fit to be his daughter-in-law. Last Friday evening, he threw my things out of the house and beat me up with a syjambok.
“When my husband returned home from other errands, he chased us away while brandishing an adze (mbezo). We had to seek refuge at the headman’s homestead and that is where we are currently staying,” said Zvikomborero.
Tashinga also confirmed the bad blood between him and his father.
“May be there are some spirits behind all this. We are no longer comfortable going back home because our safety is not guaranteed. I am now looking for employment where accommodation is provided so that I restart my life,” said Tashinga.
Headman Masvosva, Mr Joseph Rubaya confirmed sheltering the couple, saying he fined Zumba a goat for trespassing into her daughter in-law’s bedroom.
“We are assisting the young couple to find an alternative place to stay. Four months ago, Zumba appeared before my court after he grabbed Zvikomborero’s belongings and dumped them at her parents’ home in Wedza. Recently the young couple came to my home during the night seeking shelter. Zumba begged for forgiveness from Zvikomborero and her father.
“Gunda demanded a beast from Zumba which has since been delivered,” said Headman Masvosva.
Gunda said that he suspects that Zumba does not like Zvikomborero as his daughter-in-law, hence resorting to unorthodox means to chase her away.
However, Zumba blamed his son for the bad blood between them.
“There are some issues going on which you may not understand. My son has turned his back on me. I apologised at the headman’s court and maybe it is me who should leave the homestead to them and find alternative accommodation.
“I struggled sending him to school for his own good. I also sponsored him to get a Class Two driver’s licence. He is now claiming that he bought a grinding mill for me as well as stocking the grocery shop.
“My son and his wife are accusing me of dabbling in witchcraft. I am now appearing as if I am mentally disturbed because of what is happening at my home. Culturally, I was wrong to assault my daughter-in-law and I have since paid for my sins.
“I want them back home, but they are refusing to return, saying they have secured employment somewhere else,” he said.
Online Reporter