Online Reporter
Hazel Chitepo
Post Correspondent
A MUTARE man accused of repeatedly threatening his uncle with a knife and intimidating him at both his home and workplace, demanding to know his biological father, has been placed under a five-year peace order by the Mutare Civil Court.
The order was granted by magistrate, Ms Priscilla Gumbo, after Shepherd Mungwaru sought protection from his nephew, Marlon Mungwaru, alleging that his violent conduct had left the family living in fear.
Giving evidence, Shepherd said Marlon routinely carried a knife, and used it to threaten family members whenever they attempted to reprimand him.
“He is my nephew, and he walks with a knife, and if we try to rebuke him, he threatens me with the knife. He came to my workplace and tried to smash my car’s windscreen. He always storms my workplace threatening me. I do not want him to continue threatening me,” he said.
Shepherd said the family shared the same home, which belongs to their mother, and Marlon’s behaviour had caused persistent conflict.
“We stay together with him. We have problems at our house, so we want him to vacate because it is our mother’s house. Her mother is still alive, and lives with us, and he also has pending issues with his mother,” he said.
Marlon did not oppose the application for a peace order, but denied threatening his uncle with a knife. Instead, he said his main concern was discovering the identity of his biological father.
“I am not opposed to the application. I dispute that I threatened him with a knife. The only thing that I want is to know my biological father,” he said.
Ms Gumbo reprimanded Marlon, stating that no grievance justified threatening relatives or resorting to violence.
“We do not allow you to threaten people to disclose who your father is. You can be arrested. Is that the reason why you are threatening them with a knife?” the magistrate asked.
After hearing submissions from both parties, Ms Gumbo granted Shepherd a peace order effective for five years.
She warned Marlon to refrain from threatening, harassing, intimidating or committing any act of violence against Shepherd or other family members.
The magistrate further cautioned that any breach of the order will expose Marlon to immediate arrest and possible prosecution.
