Granny on a High!

Danisa Masuku

IT’S mayhem in Mahatshula where a granny with a scary temper, fittingly surnamed Mbanje, is accused of behaving like she’s smoked a whole field of it — kicking her husband out, changing locks and threatening to kill him.

Joseph Mbanje (68) says his wife Iren Mbanje (62) has turned into a terror at home, bashing him, throwing insults like fists, and eventually forcing him out of their matrimonial house.

“I had to run for my life. She said she’d kill me if I didn’t leave,” Joseph told the court.

And just when he thought things couldn’t get worse, he returned days later only to find himself locked out. The gate was sealed, locks had been changed, and his tools and car were trapped inside.

Joseph reported the matter at Queenspark Police Station, leading to Iren’s arrest. She appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Maxwell Ncube, charged with violating a protection order granted in December 2023 under case number PO 135 / 23.

The order was meant to shield Joseph from the marrow-chilling rage that had become his marriage. According to court papers, Iren allegedly called a family meeting and announced she wanted her husband out of the house — or dead.

“She said if I didn’t pack and leave, she would kill me,” Joseph told the court.

After fleeing to Romney Park, Joseph later tried to return to the Mahatshula house, only to find it booby-trapped with new locks. His car and tools were unreachable, and the couple’s shared business premises in town were also locked down.

“She locked me out of the workshop too. I can’t even work. I just want access to my car and tools,” Joseph said.

Iren was remanded out of custody to 1 July, but her name has already gone up in smoke—Granny Mbanje, blazing mad and dangerous to live with.

Forget love gone cold, in this house it’s Mbanje gone wild.