Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A woman from Marimba in Harare is accusing her two neighbours, who are sisters, of physically assaulting and harassing her over her husband.
Ms Gracious Mbere testified in court that her neighbours Rumbidzai and Tamisai Chiropa, have been abusing her since she discovered that one of them was romantically involved with her husband.
“My neighbours abuse me constantly,” Ms Mbere said. “I found out that one of them is my husband’s girlfriend.”
She described how Rumbidzai frequently came to her house demanding money and threatening her saying she would not stay in her house for long.
Ms Mbere said alleged that Rumbidzai who is her husband’s girlfriend boasted about plans to move into her matrimonial home.
According to Ms Mbere, the sisters assaulted her, threw stones at her, and created a hostile environment in the neighbourhood.
She claimed they openly discussed their relationship with her husband, causing her emotional distress and disrupting her peace.
“The two sisters have threatened to kill me and told me to leave my home,” Ms Mbere lamented. “They say they will be moving in soon, but this is my matrimonial property.”
She added that they insulted her, calling her a witch and accusing her of being unkempt, which they claimed led to her husband’s infidelity.
“I fear for my children’s safety,” Ms Mbere said tearfully. “These women harass my children when I am not home, telling them they plan to ‘finish’ me.”
She accused the sisters of damaging her property, breaking her car windows and vandalising her gate, believing the car was a gift from her husband.
Ms Mbere also said that the sisters have tarnished her reputation in the community, making it difficult for her to maintain friendships.
In response, Ms Rumbidzai Chiropa, the first respondent, denied the assault allegations and shifted the blame to Ms Mbere.
“Mbere assaulted me after finding out that I am in love with her husband,” Rumbidzai said.
“I never go to her house; she is fabricating these stories to incriminate me.”
Ms Tamisai Chiropa, the second respondent, also denied any involvement, saying she had no knowledge of her sister’s alleged relationship with Ms Mbere’s husband.
“She should leave me out of this and focus on fixing her marriage, instead of causing trouble for single mothers,” Tamisai said.
After hearing testimony from all the parties, the presiding magistrate, Ms Meenal Narotam, ruled in favour of Ms Mbere.
The court issued an order prohibiting the Chiropa sisters from physically abusing or harassing Mbere and warned them not to damage her property.
Ms Narotam also cautioned the sisters to avoid any further confrontations, emphasising the need for peace in the community.
