Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A Harare man arraigned his alcoholic aunt before the courts, accusing her of harassment, physical abuse, and constant threats to take her own life whenever confronted about her behaviour.
Tamutswa Mangwiro shared his story, explaining the abuse he has endured at the hands of his aunt, Chipo Mangwiro.
“She does not have respect at all, she harasses me and my grandmother, who is in her old age,” he said.
“When she is drunk, she wants to take control of the house and she starts viewing us as trash.
Tamutswa told the court that his aunt’s drinking habits had destroyed peace in their home and left him living in fear.
He said his aunt, a once-respected figure in their neighbourhood, had become addicted to alcohol and now spends most of her time in beer halls, returning home intoxicated and aggressive.
According to Tamutswa, the abuse has been going on for years, but it worsened recently when his aunt began physically attacking him whenever he tries to stop her from drinking excessively.
He alleged that she hurls insults, throws household property around, and sometimes slaps or punches him during her drunken fits.
“What hurts me the most is that she uses emotional blackmail. Each time I question her drinking, she threatens to commit suicide.
“She even says I will be blamed for her death after she throws herself in front of my car . I can no longer live under such pressure,” he narrated.
He added that the threats had affected his mental health, leaving him unable to concentrate.
Tamutswa pleaded with the court to intervene and grant him protection from his aunt’s harassment.
Chipo, however, denied physically abusing him, though she admitted to struggling with alcohol.
She told the magistrate that Tamutswa was exaggerating the situation to paint her in a bad light.
“Yes, I drink, but I am not the monster he describes. He thinks he can control me as if I am his child,” she said.
“Sometimes we argue, but that does not mean I abuse him. As for suicide, I only say it when I am overwhelmed, not because I truly want to do it.”
She told the court that she is the one who is physically abused, but she chose not to sue Tamutswa.
Magistrate Johanna Mukwesha, who presided over the matter, granted a protection order in favour of Tamutswa.
She emphasised the need for immediate counselling and rehabilitation for both Chipo’s alcohol problem and for the strained relationship between her and Tamutswa.
