adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 24-YEAR-OLD man severely assaulted his 72-year-old mother and threatened to kill her after she denied him access to one of her pots. Knowledge Moyo of Kwite area in Mangwe District wanted to use Anna Moyo’s big pot to prepare food but she instead directed him to use a smaller one.
He became angry and banged his mother against the wall and kicked her several times.
Anna was only saved by the timely intervention of neighbours who restrained Knowledge.
Knowledge later ordered the complainant to vacate her homestead and threatened to kill her if she refused.
He appeared before Plumtree magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa yesterday facing assault charges.
Ruvetsa ordered Knowledge to be examined by two doctors to ascertain his mental stability after he mumbled some statements which did not make sense.
“I don’t know anything about pots but what I know is that my mother is being influenced by her church mates. I have seen her church mates in my dreams several times and I know that they have a plot to do horrible things to me.
“I have told my mother to stop attending that church countless times but she won’t listen. At one time she tried to force me to join her church and she even brought her church mates to pray for me but I refused. At times they come to me at night,” said Knowledge.
He denied assaulting his mother and staying with her at the same homestead. Knowledge said he had his own homestead and property.
Prosecuting, Clemence Shawarira said Knowledge approached his mother on March 29 around 1PM and pointed out that he wanted to prepare his beans.
“The complainant directed her son to use a small pot to cook his food as she wanted to use the bigger pot to prepare food for the whole family.
“Knowledge got angry as he insisted on using the bigger pot. He banged the complainant against the wall and pushed her to the floor. The accused went on to kick Anna several times,” said Shawarira.
He said the complainant screamed for help and her neighbours saved her from further assault from her son.
Shawarira said Anna later returned to her homestead assuming that her son had calmed down only for Knowledge to order her to vacate her homestead. He said Knowledge also threatened to kill her.
The complainant reported the matter to the police resulting in Knowledge’s arrest.
Knowledge is expected to return to court on April 17 after his medical examination has been done.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter