Granny (70) considers divorce

Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A 70-YEAR-OLD Mutasa woman has taken her family’s bitter property dispute to Chief Mutasa’s community court, demanding the return of three vehicles she claims were handed to her husband’s nephew despite her decades-long contribution towards building the family’s wealth.
Maria Maphosa said after years of working alongside her husband to acquire property, build homes and accumulate assets, she now finds herself contemplating divorce in her twilight years following a dramatic fallout linked to her husband’s declining health.
Maphosa said she and her husband built their estate through years of sacrifice and hard work, dating back to her days as a teacher.
“My husband and I built a 13-roomed house in Gweru when I was still teaching. At one point, we purchased property worth the equivalent of nine months of my salary. My father was a businessman, and I also contributed significantly towards our family’s development,” she said.
She said while her husband later worked abroad, she remained behind and oversaw the construction projects at their rural homestead.
“When we came to his rural home, there were only a few shacks. I stayed behind and continued developing the property while he was away overseas. By 1988, our Gweru house had been completed,” she said.
Maphosa, however, claimed that despite her financial contribution, she had little control over her earnings throughout the marriage.
“My husband controlled my salary and managed my bank account. I never really enjoyed the fruits of my labour. Sometimes I had to buy even basic personal items including my underwear on credit because my money was being channelled elsewhere,” she said.
Maphosa said the family’s fortunes improved over the years as they acquired additional property, including a residential stand in Mutasa and several vehicles.
She said the couple eventually owned three vehicles, adding that she frequently drove two of them because her husband feared being involved in road accidents.
The dispute, she said, began after her husband suffered a stroke in 2023.
Maphosa alleged that the illness was followed by significant behavioural changes and a growing attachment to his nephew, Silas Nyamugure, whom he increasingly entrusted with family affairs.
“He took a Toyota Carina registered in my name and handed it to Silas. Later, he also gave him a Nissan Hardbody. The Toyota Camry, which belonged to my husband, was also handed over to him.
“That is when I started suspecting that something was wrong because these decisions were not normal,” she said.
She further alleged that the nephew eventually moved into the family’s 13-roomed house, while she felt increasingly unwelcome in her own home.
“I eventually left the family home on November 1, 2025. Silas moved in, while I moved out. My husband’s condition had deteriorated and at one point he even reported us to the police and wanted us arrested,” she said.

Maphosa said the situation had left her emotionally devastated and considering divorce despite having spent decades with her husband.
“I never imagined that after building all this property and raising a family, I would be facing such challenges at my age,” she said.
However, Nyamugure rejected allegations that he had taken advantage of his uncle.
He said he only became involved after being asked to help care for his uncle following the stroke.
“This woman left hear husband when he was bedridden after suffering a stroke. Family members asked me to assist and look after him,” he said.
Nyamugure said he even attempted to understand why Maphosa had decided to leave the matrimonial home.
“I spoke to her over the phone and asked why she had left. Yes, the vehicles are currently at my home, but my uncle has been alone for nearly two years,” he said.
He maintained that one of the vehicles had been voluntarily given to him by his uncle in appreciation for his assistance.
“My uncle said I deserved one of the vehicles because I had been a great help to the family. That arrangement was made while she was still living at home,” he said.
After hearing both sides, Chief Mutasa ordered Nyamugure to return the vehicles pending further determination of the matter.
“Take the vehicles back to their rightful owners. You cannot position yourself to inherit a person’s property when that person’s wife and children are still present.
“I do not understand why you are so deeply involved in this family’s affairs. The complainant wants her vehicles back. If the vehicle belonged to her, her husband had no authority to give it away,” ruled Chief Mutasa.
The chief directed that the vehicles be returned immediately and ordered that Maphosa’s husband be summoned to appear before the court when the matter resumes.
The case was subsequently adjourned pending his appearance.