Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A NYANGA widow, Netty Mapeta, has made a touching accusation against her father-in-law, Themba Makombe, alleging that he has callously abandoned his family’s needs.
Mapeta testified before Chief Mutasa’s community court that Makombe’s refusal to attend his son’s funeral eight years ago marked the beginning of his estrangement from family gatherings.
His absence was further exacerbated when he snubbed the burial of his own granddaughter last month, which actions ignited incessant conflict within her household and compounded her struggles.
Since her husband’s passing in 2017, Mapeta has shouldered the responsibility of raising their children alone, and instead of receiving emotional support and guidance from her in-laws, she has faced rejection and hostility.
Mapeta recounted the painful events that have exacerbated her strained relationship with her father-in-law.
“My husband passed away in 2017, but his father did not attend the funeral. To this day, the memorial service (nyaradzo) has not been held, and he does not even know where his son was laid to rest,” she said, her voice trembling with emotions.
The widow further alleged that the rift between them deepened in August when her married daughter fell critically ill and passed away.
Despite this, Makombe again chose not to attend the funeral.
“In August, my child died, and her grandpa did not attend the funeral. She passed away in my presence, but her paternal family did not bother to consult traditional healers to determine the cause of her death,” said Mapeta.
Mapeta’s testimony took a strange turn as she described the bizarre occurrences that plagued her household following her daughter’s death.
“As my daughter lay dying, another child began exhibiting strange behaviour, possessed by an unknown spirit.
“To this day, that child remains severely ill, reliant on us for sustenance. My third child has struggled with mental health issues since the age of two and now roams the streets, homeless,” said Mapeta with a cracking voice.
Mapeta accused her in-laws of marginalising her in decision-making processes, particularly when consulting traditional healers.
“A traditional healer once advised us to take our ailing child to his shrine for treatment.
“However, when I informed my husband and father-in-law, they ridiculed me, insisting I was merely a daughter-in-law and should not interfere in their family matters,” she said.
Overcome with grief, Mapeta broke down, saying: “I am a widow, and these problems persist. I am at a loss for who to turn to, which is why I have sought the chief’s intervention. I am in pain.”
In a stark contrast, Makombe strongly defended himself, attributing his estrangement from Mapeta to her alleged disrespect and insubordination.
Makombe calmly acknowledged some truths in Mapeta’s testimony while disputing the rest of the allegations.
“It is true I did not attend my son’s funeral, but that is because I requested they bring the body to my homestead for burial.
They refused, so I let them handle it alone,” he said, further revealing the underlying cause of the strained relationship, traced back to when his son and daughter-in-law pressured him to consult traditional healers against his will.
“Mapeta came to my homestead with five relatives and my ailing son, insisting that we should consult healers. I refused, stating that I would only do so with my son, not with Mapeta and her family. They insulted me, and from then on, I distanced myself from anything involving her,” he explained.
Makombe launched a scathing attack on his daughter-in-law, accusing her of attempting to usurp authority within his household.
“I told my son that if he wanted to consult traditional healers, we would do it together as father and son. However, he refused, insisting on doing it with his wife instead. I withdrew from the matter, and to this day, I do not concern myself with her or her children. She lacks humility and wants to assume the role of the Makombe matriarch. She needs to learn humility,” charged Makombe.
In a dramatic turn of events, one of Mapeta’s daughters suddenly became possessed during the hearing, attempting to attack her grandpa, and demanding to know why he had come to court.
Court attendants restrained the young woman, who later collapsed when asked to identify the spirit possessing her.
Chief Mutasa intervened sternly, directing the feuding family to seek traditional help together immediately.
“This is your family, Makombe. You should care.
Your son passed away over seven years ago, and you do not even know where he was buried. That is unacceptable. You must take responsibility,” said Chief Mutasa.
Chief Mutasa also rebuked Mapeta for disrespecting her in-laws.
“However, you Mapeta, you should not insult or disrespect your father-in-law. That is wrong. Whatever the conflict, you must handle it with humility,” he said before ordering both parties to consult traditional healers on the same day to establish the cause of the strange occurrences in the family.
The matter will be followed up by the traditional leadership to ensure that the family complies with the chief’s directive.
