Moffat Mungazi
Fidelis Chavarike
Weekender Reporter
A BIZARRE family drama unfolded at the Mutare Civil Court recently as two aunties from a Mutasa family sought a peace order against their nephews and nieces.
The rift has its genesis on the nephews and nieces’ request to their elderly aunties, Mary Pama and Mauld Chisasa to accompany them to a traditional healer for a cleansing ceremony.
The aunties refused, sparking a heated response from their relatives.
This prompted the pair to drag their nephews and nieces — Lovemore Mutasa, Wilfred Mutasa, Margret Mutasa, Caroline Mutasa, Grace Pama and Brian Pama — to the civil court, accusing them of insulting, and forcing them to consult a traditional healer against their will, violating their rights and beliefs.
The warring parties appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Purity Gumbo, who granted the duo the peace order that provided them with legal protection from the alleged harassment.
Mary recounted a harrowing experience at the hands of her nephews and nieces.
“These children once arrived at my house in the dead of night, at 4am, and forcibly dragged us to a traditional healer,” she said.
According to Mary, the relatives accused her and her sister, Mauld, of bewitching them.
The alleged motive behind this accusation was the aunties’ refusal to accept a second bride price from a man who was dating one of their nieces.
Mary explained that the niece’s first husband had already paid the full bride price during their marriage, making it impossible for them to accept another payment.
“We were not even informed about what happened, and yet they expected us to receive another bride price,” said Mary, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
Lovemore, one of the nephews accused of harassing his aunties, presented a contrasting account of events in court.
Lovemore said the family had collectively approached Chief Mutasa on April 26, seeking guidance on the series of mysterious deaths within the family.
“We needed our aunties’ wisdom and insight, as they are the eldest members of our family. Recently, we lost a sister from Marondera, and we believed it was essential to consult a traditional healer to understand the cause of these tragic events,” he said.
Lovemore alleged that his aunties had initially agreed to participate in the traditional cleansing ceremony, but were now refusing to cooperate.
“We were instructed by the traditional healer to report to Chief Mutasa, before proceeding with the ceremony, which we did. However, our aunties are now refusing to see both the chief and the traditional healer,” said Lovemore, highlighting growing frustration with the situation.
Mauld vehemently disputed her nephew’s account, alleging that Caroline Mutasa had explicitly threatened to tie her up, and forcibly drag her to the traditional healer.
“She even labelled me a witch and harassed me. She accused me of bewitching the family,” claimed Mauld.
Margret Mutasa, another family member, corroborated Mauld’s testimony, arguing that the family had initially agreed to consult the traditional healer, but later reneged.
“Your worship, they keep changing their story. The case is still pending before the chief’s community court, and we are waiting for them to summon us,” said Margret.
Ms Gumbo clarified that the peace order granted to the aunties did not exempt them from responding to summons from Chief Mutasa.
“The peace order serves a specific purpose, and if Chief Mutasa summons you, you should attend,” she emphasised.
The civil issue remains unresolved, with the family awaiting summons from Chief Mutasa to finalise the matter.
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