Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A 60-year-old Highfield woman has won a protection order against her abusive son whom she accused of neglecting his daughter who has cerebral palsy for seven years.
Mrs Belly Nyakwengwe told Harare Civil Court magistrate Ms Johanna Mukwesha that her son, James Kengwe (35) disappeared soon after his daughter was born.
“I have been taking care of that child from the day that she was born. He disappeared when the doctors told him she would never walk or speak,” she said.
“He said he couldn’t deal with a cursed child and left me to fend for my granddaughter.”
According to her, the child, who suffers from cerebral palsy, has been solely under her care for all these years, while the father vanished from their lives.
Mrs Nyakwengwe said her son never contributed to the medical bills, special care items or special needs.
She said he returned unexpectedly three months ago and started to wreak havoc. Mrs Nyakwengwe said Mr Kengwe stamped his authority on the family home, claiming it was his birthright.
“He broke the back door to gain entry. That very night, strange women came in with drunk men,” she said.
“I woke up to the sound of loud music. My granddaughter cried the whole night.”
Mrs Nyakengwe said her son commands a group of more than 12 sex workers operating in their neighbourhood.
She accused her son of physical and emotional abuse, claiming that he routinely insults and spits on her and threatens to kill her if she tries to involve the authorities.
She cited an incident where he chased her out of her house and she had to sleep on her neighbour’s veranda.
“I gave birth to him, but now I fear him. I just want my home back and l want peace for me and my granddaughter. I want him gone for good,” she said.
Mrs Nyakwengwe also claimed that her son was in the habit of bad-mouthing her in the community.
Ms Mukwesha granted the protection order in favour of Mrs Nyakwengwe. The magistrate advised her to approach the Social Welfare Department to get help for her granddaughter.
