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Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Correspondent
An elderly woman who gave her daughter-in-law a love potion has been ordered to pay a fine of three cattle to the latter’s parents.
Gogo Martha Madzira who is in her sixties told acting Chief Saunyama’s court that she gave the love potion to Violet Gumbo to strengthen her marriage with her son, Tendai Jazi.
The potion which was presented before the court consisted of the front part of Gumbo’s underwear and some oil in a small bottle.
“She said I had to cut the front part of my underwear and put it in an empty bottle. l was asked to use the oil to moisturise my face every morning and evening without fail,” said Gumbo.
Gogo Madzira did not deny being the source of the love potion as she claimed that it was her wish to see her son and daughter-in-law’s marriage flourishing.
She also confessed that she had used the same potion on her husband, Sekuru Petros Jazi, before indicating that is why he is submissive to her.
“My husband was a hard nut to crack. When I married him, he used to behave like his son (Tendai). He would not listen to me and ignored all my pleas for a happy marriage. However, all that changed when I learnt of this love potion. Ever since l gave it to him he has been very submissive,” she said.
As she said this, Sekuru Jazi was listening attentively.
As if on cue, the elderly man stood up and begged the court to have mercy on his wife.
“Forgive her, all she wanted was her son and daughter-in-law to have a blissful marriage. She is a great mother and should not be punished,” pleaded Sekuru Jazi.
Gogo Madzira described her son as a violent and abusive man.
“He does not listen to his wife and this hurts me so much. Of all my sons, he is the only one who is abusive towards his wife. As a result, they have no tangible developments in their relationship. I knew the potion would make him see the light like what it did to his father,” she said.
Jazi was in attendance and remained mum during the entire court session.
The court heard that the matter was only revealed after Gumbo’s sister, Charity, dreamt of Gogo Madzira handing her sister a mysterious bottle.
“When I had the dream, I rushed to Violet’s homestead the next morning and told her about my dream. I told her that she had to be careful with the bottle she had been given or else she would regret it later and that is when she revealed what had happened the previous day,” said Charity.
Although Gogo Madzira insisted that the love potion was meant to improve her son’s marriage, spiritual consultations during the court session concluded that she had other agendas against her daughter-in-law.
“While love potions were traditionally herbs administered in the husband’s meals, this underwear issue is unheard of.
“There is an ulterior motive behind this whole issue. Maybe you want to get rid of your daughter-in-law. You will be punished for this,” ruled acting Chief Saunyama.
But Gogo Madzira insisted: “The underwear was supposed to make her husband see her as the queen of his heart. She was also supposed to apply the oil on her face twice daily for that reason. There is nothing sinister about this.”
Online Reporter