Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze-Herald Reporter
A Harare man has taken legal action against his son, whom he accuses of terrorising the family through violence, threats and abusive behaviour fuelled by drug addiction.
Speaking before Civil Court magistrate Johanna Mukwesha, Mr Thomas Foroma of Waterfalls, gave an account of the abuse he endured at the hands of his son, Tinofara Foroma.
He told the court that his once-beloved son had turned into the family’s greatest source of fear and misery.
“He always promises to kill me under the influence of drugs. I am now afraid since he threatens me whenever I reprimand him,” he said.
According to the father, Tinofara even threatened to stab him during one confrontation.
Foroma said his son, who is alleged to be addicted to drugs, had become uncontrollable and frequently abused his parents with insults, threats and even physical assaults.
“We live in fear in our own home. He is no longer the son I raised. He insults me daily and harasses his mother,” he said.
The court also heard that Tinofara’s violent outbursts were not isolated incidents, but had become regular whenever he failed to access drugs.
Foroma said his son would often demand money from the family and, if refused, would turn to violence.
He further explained that his wife now feared staying at home whenever Tinofara was around, as she no longer felt safe in her own house.
“Instead of protecting his mother, he is the one abusing her. I cannot watch this continue. He has destroyed the peace in our home, and I fear he will one day carry out his threats,” he said.
Foroma also claimed that his only interest was the safety of his family.
In a default judgment, the magistrate ruled in favour of the father and barred the son, Tinofara, from causing violence and issuing death threats to his father, emphasising that a breach of peace would land him in prison.
Mr Foroma was advised to take his son for rehabilitation to help him overcome his drug addiction.
