Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A MAN from Ruwa has secured a peace order against his late wife’s sister, who forced her way into his home and began interfering in his personal life and family affairs.
Speaking before the Harare Civil Court magistrate, Ms Johanna Mukwesha, Langton Nyamurova revealed the emotional abuse he has endured at the hands of his late wife’s sister, Felistas Mutadza.
Nyamurova stated that what was supposed to be a period of mourning, healing, and rebuilding had quickly turned into a domestic battle.
“She was chosen to be the mother who would watch over my children since my wife passed on,” he said.
“Her mother influenced her to leave her husband and two children and force herself into my house, claiming to be performing wifely duties, and I was against that.”
He also revealed that he cannot stay and take care of another man’s wife, which is the reason why he sought legal help, as he is being emotionally abused in his own house.
Nyamurova says his life has been turned upside down following the loss of his wife, instead of finding peace and space to adjust to the changes in his family.
“I told her relatives that she may visit my house to see the children and not to stay with me, I am still mourning my wife,” he said.
Nyamurova said Mutadza initially came to his house under the guise of helping out and supporting the children during the difficult time of bereavement.
He said he appreciated her assistance at first, as he was struggling to balance work and caring for his children while grieving the loss of his spouse.
However, the temporary arrangement turned into what he describes as an unwanted takeover.
“She came pretending to be helping me and the children, but now she is refusing to leave,” he said.
“She has practically forced herself into my life, and I cannot take it anymore.”
Nyamurova alleges that she has become controlling, going so far as to interfere with his personal relationships.
He accused his mother-in-law of taking advantage of him since he had been staying with one of Mutadza’s children, whom he asked her to take after he lost his wife.
Nyamurova told the court that he is afraid that one day Mutadza may spread rumours in the community that he made sexual advances towards her, which is the reason why he wanted her out.
“This has brought shame and discomfort to me. People may think that I married my wife’s sister after her death, yet that is not true.
“She is tarnishing my name, and I cannot live in peace under these circumstances,” he added.
In his application, Nyamurova asked the court to bar Mutadza from continuing to stay in his house, insisting that she had overstayed her welcome and was causing him emotional distress.
Mutadza, however, claimed that her intentions were being misunderstood because she was only fulfilling a duty expected of her by tradition.
According to her, after the death of her sister, she felt responsible for the well-being of the children and wanted to ensure that they were properly cared for.
“I am not forcing myself into his life, I am simply helping, but if he wants me to leave, I will do so peacefully,” she said.
“I took my child, who was staying in his house after the death of my sister.”
The court, however, noted the tension between the two and advised that they should resolve their matter peacefully.
The magistrate ordered Mutadza to refrain from emotionally abusing Nyamurova and to stay away from his house, as he has the right to privacy and peace in his home.
