Chronicle Editor
Peter Matika, Chronicle Reporter
A bitter inheritance dispute has emerge in Chegutu, Mashonaland West Province, which has thrust Fungai Jokonya and his family into a nightmarish ordeal.
What began as a battle over property and cattle left by his late father, Thomas Jokonya, in May 2012, has spiraled into a saga of threats, violence, and fear for their lives.
According to a distraught relative, who chose to remain anonymous, the inheritance bequeathed to Fungai did not sit well with his uncles, Funny Mudzengerere and John Mudzengerere, who contested his entitlement to the family’s legacy.
“They felt he did not deserve the inheritance and sought to claim it for themselves,” the relative revealed, shedding light on the simmering tensions within the Jokonya family.
As animosity festered, the uncles resorted to a campaign of intimidation and brutality to drive Fungai out of the property.
The relative recounted chilling accounts of threats issued against Fungai, including ominous warnings of disappearance or even death if he did not relinquish the inheritance.
In a shocking turn of events, the uncles allegedly attempted to set fire to the Jokonya homestead while Fungai and his family were asleep, prompting a frantic escape to safety.
“The violence and terror reached a breaking point, compelling Fungai to flee his ancestral home, going into hiding, fearing for his life and the safety of his loved ones, as is we do not know where he is as all his mobile phones are not going through.
“We have also tried reporting the matter to the police but they have said they cannot assist as this was a family matter but we suspect that our uncles are using their connections to evade prosecution as they are known members of the ruling Zanu-PF,” the relative lamented, painting a grim picture of the escalating conflict that shattered the once peaceful existence of the Jokonya family.
As Fungai Jokonya grapples with the trauma of being torn from his roots and enduring threats of violence at the hands of his own kin, the community of Chegutu is left reeling from the repercussions of a bitter inheritance feud that has torn apart a family and cast a shadow of fear over their lives.
With the specter of violence and upheaval looming large, the community remains gripped by the urgency of finding a resolution to this distressing conflict and restoring peace to the Jokonya family.
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