Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A MUTASA man, Benjamin Mutendamambo, has accused his aunt, Emilia Nyabako, of fatally assaulting his mother, Sophia Chigumira, with a piece of firewood in 2019.
Appearing before Chief Mutasa’s community court, Mutendamambo alleged that the attack left his mother in poor health until her eventual death.
Nyabako, who is Chigumira’s cousin, was summoned by the community court to respond to the allegations.
Mutendamambo told the court that his mother’s health deteriorated steadily after the alleged assault.
“My mother was struck by her younger sister with a piece of firewood. From that day, she never fully recovered. She kept complaining of pain and always said her sister was the cause of her suffering,” he said.
He added that the matter was initially reported to the police, but no decisive action was taken beyond family counselling.
“We went to the police and reported the case. They called us in and counselled us as a family, but there was no follow-up. Even on her deathbed, my mother insisted that her sister was responsible for what had happened to her,” said Mutendamambo.
Seeking justice, he told the court: “I am here because I want closure. My mother died with unanswered questions, and as her son, I cannot rest without knowing the truth.”
Nyabako, however, denied ever assaulting her late sister. She admitted there had been an altercation at Chigumira’s homestead, but insisted she had not targeted her.
“I did not attack my sister. I had heard that people in that household were speaking ill of me, so I went there to confront my nephew. He became aggressive, and in anger, I picked up a piece of firewood and threw it at him, but it missed. I never intended to strike my sister,” she said.
Nyabako expressed shock at being accused of causing Chigumira’s death. “When my sister passed away, the family turned against me. They accused me of killing her, but that is not true. I never attacked her, and I never wished her harm,” she said.
A witness, Mildred Madziro, who said she was inside the house when the incident occurred, gave testimony that partly supported Nyabako’s account.
“I was present in the house when the argument took place. The piece of firewood was thrown in the direction of my son-in-law, but it missed him. I cannot say with certainty who it eventually struck or how events unfolded afterwards,” Madziro told the court.
Her statement left lingering questions about whether Chigumira was struck during the confrontation.
Chief Mutasa urged the family to avoid escalating tensions and emphasised the importance of evidence over speculation.
“This is a painful matter because it involves blood relatives. When sisters fight to the extent that one dies and the other stands accused, it tears the family apart,” he said.
He cautioned against making conclusive claims without medical proof linking the alleged assault to Chigumira’s death.
“If there was indeed an assault, there must be records. The police report, hospital records, and post-mortem findings should clearly state what caused the death. We cannot rely solely on suspicion or words spoken in grief,” Chief Mutasa advised, urging the family to revisit official documentation to determine whether there was any medical correlation between the 2019 incident and Chigumira’s eventual passing.
“You must go back and examine the police report that was made at the time. Look at the medical reports. If a post-mortem was conducted, let it guide you. Only facts can bring closure,” he said.
While refraining from making a legal determination, Chief Mutasa reprimanded Nyabako for resorting to violence, particularly given her role as a neighbourhood watch committee member.
“As someone entrusted with maintaining order in the community, you are expected to lead by example. Taking up a piece of firewood in anger, even if you claim you did not intend to harm your sister, is not conduct befitting a person of the law,” he told her.
He further urged all parties to seek reconciliation and avoid deepening divisions within the extended family.
“Families must learn to sit down and resolve disputes before they escalate. Rumours and anger have destroyed many homes. Let this be a lesson that conflict must be addressed calmly and lawfully,” Chief Mutasa concluded.
