Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter
TWO Sakubva sisters have petitioned the Mutare Civil Court to take action against their brother, accusing him of allegedly chasing them away from their late parents’ house and destroying other property left behind – which has caused misfortune leading to the collapse of their respective marriages.
The matter appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Poterai Gwezhira after sisters – Brenda and Violet Simango – approached the court seeking relief against their brother, Richmond, accusing him of forcing them out of their late parents’ home in Sakubva.
Brenda told the court that Richmond, a biological brother, had become hostile and chased them away from the family house, insisting that they should return to their own matrimonial homes.
The sisters are now staying at a neighbour’s house after being forcibly evicted.
“Our brother told us that we must go back to where we were married, and that we no longer had a place at our late parents’ home,” said Brenda.
The pair asked the court to allow them to return to their late parents’ house without interference from Richmond, arguing that the house belonged to the family, not an individual.
“This is our family home, and we only ask to live there peacefully without being disturbed or treated as strangers,” said Brenda.
Richmond opposed the application, arguing that he was the sole heir and caretaker of the house.
He said he chased his sisters away because they had abandoned their matrimonial homes, and wanted them to resolve their marital differences and return to their husbands.
“I am the sole heir and caretaker of the house, and I chased them (sisters) away because they had left their marriages and should resolve their marital problems,” argued Richmond.
He further alleged that he was uncomfortable with the behaviour of his sisters’ daughters, claiming that they bring boyfriends to sleep in his ‘bedroom’.
“I felt disrespected in my own house,” he said, adding that the situation caused constant conflict.
Violet also testified, saying she was tired of being chased away from her parents’ home by an abusive brother.
She alleged that Richmond had neglected and allowed their late parents’ property to be destroyed after being exposed to rain – a situation she said has brought misfortune to the family.
She told the court that she believed the destruction of the property had negatively affected their lives and marriages.
“Since our parents’ property was damaged and disappeared, my sister and I have faced serious challenges in our marriages,” she said, adding that no woman willingly leaves her matrimonial home.
She maintained that they returned to their parents’ house due to genuine marital problems and not out of choice.
Despite the court’s intervention, Richmond expressed concern that cohabiting with his sisters would lead to further conflict, citing the behaviour of their children as a potential source of disputes.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Mr Gwezhira ordered Richmond to cohabit peacefully with his sisters at the family home.
He also granted protection orders in favour of Brenda and Violet, valid for one year, barring Richmond from insulting them or committing any form of violence against them.
The magistrate urged all parties to respect one another and maintain peace within the family.
