Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A BUDIRIRO woman (74) has told the Harare Civil Court that she caught her son relieving himself in her plate of food.
Mrs Doreen Johnson told Harare Civil Court magistrate, Ms Johanna Mukwesha, that her son, Joseph Johnson (40), harassed and assaulted her over money that is paid by tenants at their family home.
She told the court that she had been living in fear for the past several months after her son began tormenting her in unimaginable ways.
According to her, matters came to a head when she refused to share rental income from two rooms she rents out to tenants at her home.
She said Joseph, who is unemployed and well-known for his violent conduct, allegedly demanded a portion of the monthly rent, claiming that it was his entitlement as her eldest son.
“I told him the money is for groceries, medication and maintaining the house, that is when my nightmare started,” she said.
Mrs Johnson said Joseph assaulted her multiple times and at one time pushed her into a cupboard during one of the altercations.
“He has become a monster. He does not allow any of his siblings to visit me anymore,” she said.
“He locks the gate and even threatens to burn the house if I continue to refuse to give him the rent money.”
The mother said Joseph went as far as defecating in her food for over a month until she caught him red-handed.
“I found him squatting over my food plate one early morning; he was not ashamed. He told me that it is what I deserved for being stingy.”
She said the incident helped her realise why she had felt unwell after eating her meals previously.
She also accused Joseph of selling family property without consulting his siblings. She said he had sold a refrigerator, television, and lounge suite.
“He sold everything, and I begged him to stop, but he told me that I am no longer the head of the house. He behaves as if he owns everything,” she said.
Joseph denied most of the allegations, claiming that his mother is old and confused, and that his siblings are trying to manipulate her into removing him from the house.
He admitted to selling some household items but claimed it was with his mother’s consent.
On the allegations of defiling her food, he said it was a fabrication meant to destroy him.
“I cannot be cruel to my own mother, she squandered the money alone. She is old now and feels she can do whatever she wants with me,” he argued.
However, the magistrate granted the order in Mrs Johnson’s favour and warned Joseph to stop abusing his mother.
