Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A MAKONI villager, Kurai Kaemba, has been cautioned against harassing and insulting his elderly neighbour, Mbuya Violet Makunike, after allegedly issuing violent threats and accusing her of loose morals.
The matter came before Chief Makoni’s community court after Mbuya Makunike dragged Kurai and his father, Archford Kaemba, seeking compensation of two beasts.
She accused Kurai of verbally abusing her and making damaging claims, including allegations that she had offered him money to engage in an intimate relationship.
The widow further told the court that she suspected Kurai of being behind the theft of groceries from her homestead, citing remarks he made about expired food and her stockpiling of supplies while others struggled.
She recounted several troubling incidents.
“Sometime back, Archford’s wife came to my homestead and asked me to give her a cellphone, which she said was for her husband. I later struggled to get the phone back. There was also a dead dog dumped at my gate by Kurai and a neighbour. When I confronted them, Kurai threatened to beat me up and claimed my own dog had dragged the carcass there. I eventually disposed of it myself,” she said.
She added that during a funeral announcement about a break in at her homestead, Kurai openly mocked her, questioning why she kept expired cooking oil and warning her to be careful if she tried to “fix” the thief, as it might turn out to be a relative. Later that night, he wanted to set fire on my house and those of his grandmother, Paul Machega, and his mother’s young sister. He was shouting and announcing his intentions. Archford approached Headman Gwasira for us to have a dialogue, but I was surprised when Kurai made allegations that I had offered him money to be intimate with him. He said this in the presence of my son-in-law, and I broke down. I felt humiliated and left for home. He later told other people that it was his father, Archford, who had advised him to make such allegations,” she told the court.
Sekuru Kaemba told the court that there was a cordial relationship between him and Mbuya Makunike, which had been strained by Kurai’s alleged actions, prompting him to approach Headman Gwasira for a dialogue.
“My son is mentally well. I am surprised by the issues between these two people, and this is why I approached Headman Gwasira for a solution, since their dispute has been dragging on for a long time. Their dispute emanated from a dead dog and stolen groceries. We have been co-existing cordially with Mbuya Makunike to the extent that she gave me her cellphone after I lost mine.
“She later demanded her phone back after I had sold my tobacco. I told her it was not possible to give back her phone because it was no longer functioning, and I had assumed that she had given it to me for free. At Headman Gwasira’s court, I challenged the presence of her son-in-law, and he became violent and started attacking me, prompting me to excuse myself from the hearing,” said Sekuru Kaemba.
Kurai admitted in court that he had indeed commented that Mbuya Makunike was keeping a lot of groceries while others had little, but denied ever insulting her.
“It is true that she announced at the funeral that her groceries were stolen. People started discussing, and I just commented that this woman has cartons of groceries while some of us are struggling to buy a 750ml bottle. Her domestic worker recorded me and later informed Mbuya Makukine. I never said she is keeping expired goods. The grocery thieves are now known. I never insulted her or accused her of being of loose morals,” Kurai told the court.
After a lengthy deliberation Chief Makoni advised the three parties to co-exist peacefully as neighbours and community members. He warned Kundai against disrespecting elderly members of the community.
“Go back and co-exist well as was the case before. Kurai should respect his elders. If Kundai continue to harass Mbuya Makunike then she should approach the magistrate courts for a protection order. It is the view of this court that if each party stick to their role in the community they will co-exist without wasting resources going to courts. There was no evidence adduced on who stole her grocery, she is advised to pursue the case with the courts. Kurai is ordered to pay the cost of the lawsuit which is US$40,” ruled Chief Makoni.
