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Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
TWO Mahalape squatters in Mutare are embroiled in a nasty land dispute, resulting in one of them seeking refuge from the courts.
Agnes Mbofana does not see eye to eye with Tsamwai Muruko and peace has eluded the two neighbours.
Mbofana also says Muruko accuses her of witchcraft and poisoning her own child.
“Other neighbours now think that I administered poison to my own child who died recently. People are now afraid to let their children play with mine. She does not want to see smiling or laughing,” she said.
The Mahalape illegal settlement spreads along the railway line between Chikanga and Sakubva.
“Muruko’s other neighbours are her sister, sister-in-law and niece and I am the odd one out. She wants me gone, but I will not leave because that portion of land is mine. She has resorted to smear campaigning to force me out of the settlement,” said Mbofana.
She went on to state that Muruko and her husband are stalking her.
“They are like a bullying high school gang and I am their sole victim. They hold meetings at her cabin house and I can hear everything they will be discussing. They are planning on how to get rid of me for good. They even suggested setting my cabin on fire at night,” she said.
Mbofana also said Muruko is in the habit of cutting down her hedge.
“Your Worship, it takes time to grow a good hedge and my hard work is being destroyed by this jealousy neighbour,” she said.
In her defence, Muruko asked for a binding protection order.
She claimed to be the victim in the whole matter and went on to claim a reimbursement of the money she has used to Mbofana’s family.
“Well, if she wants a protection order, she should give me my money back. I once hired a vehicle for her child and paid all the hospital bills. It was not a debt, but if she wants to play dirty with me by applying for a protection order then she should give me back that money,” said Muruko.
In his ruling, Mr Chipato said the two women need to maintain peace.
He granted a protection order in Mbofana’s favour.
The order bars Muruko from harassing her neighbour.
However, Muruko was not happy with this and insisted that Mbofana should pay back her money.
“The matter before me is a protection order application, not your claim for a refund.
‘‘You will have to make a different application for that,” said Mr Chipato.
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