Sundaymail Editor
Spiwe Sarakunze
Online Reporter
A HARARE woman has approached the Civil Court seeking a protection order against her brother, whom she accuses of threatening to kill her for pushing for the erection of a tombstone at their father’s grave.
Esther Chirume accused her brother, Admire Chirume, of threatening to assault and kill her because he was opposed to the idea.
“My brother is very violent. l am afraid of him. He said that he wants to kill me since my other siblings and I are planning to put a tombstone on our father’s grave,” she said.
Esther told the court that Admire chased her when they visited their rural home in Shurugwi.
“I do not feel comfortable attending funerals of our relatives since he told me that he may bury me alive,” she said.
Esther said Admire told her that no one in the family was allowed to contribute anything or to think of putting up the tombstone for their father.
She told the court that she did not feel safe since Admire was watching her closely to ensure that she did not do anything related to the tombstone.
“It is now 26 years since the death of my father, and my siblings and I had planned to put a tombstone on our father’s grave to remember him,” Esther said.
“My brother is the one who is against that idea and he even swore that if we try to go ahead with the plan, there will be bloodshed in our family.”
Esther said she was puzzled by her brother’s behaviour since she was not looking for contributions from him because she was capable of footing the bill for the programme.
“He calls me a prostitute and that l am useless just because he does not want us to put up the tombstone. He beats up my children and harasses them,” she said.
Esther claimed that her brother did not allow her to visit the village and she was afraid of talking to their relatives for fear that he could accuse them of influencing her.
The presiding magistrate, Ms Meenal Narotam, granted her the order.
Online Reporter