Woman asked to forgive ‘monster’ son

Lethokuhle Moyo Court Reporter
“My son is a monster, I’m even afraid to look at him,” said a visibly shaken woman applying for a protection order against her jailbird son. Martha Mpofu of Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb yesterday begged a magistrate to issue a protection order against her son, Kenneth Chirwa, 34, who is in prison for assaulting her and leaving her for dead in October last year.

“He is due to be released in May. I need an order to bar him from coming to my house,” she said.

She told the court she regained consciousness at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) with a broken arm and leg after Chirwa struck her with a knobkerrie.

Bulawayo Civil Court magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure heard how Chirwa began habitually abusing his mother following his father’s death in January last year.

“I’m a widow, my husband died last year January. I’m supposed to mourn him in peace but Kenneth goes on to do something so terrible like that.

“He sometimes stole from me and verbally abused me,” she added.

Chirwa was last year sentenced to nine months in prison for the unprovoked vicious attack on his mother.

“Your Worship, I don’t know why he did that. It’s only him who knows why he did it. I don’t think I can welcome him back. If he is released from prison he should find an alternative place to stay,” said Mpofu.

When magistrate Mashavakure asked Chirwa why he beat up his mother, he failed to give a reason. Chirwa – who was clad in prison garb – apologised to his mother and promised to change his behaviour.

“Your Worship, I really regret what I did. I felt humiliated when I appeared in court for beating up my own mother. I was embarrassed to stand in front of many people when I appeared in court,” Chirwa said.

“Today I want to apologise to you mother and aunties for what I did. I promise I won’t do that again. I’m receiving counselling at the prison and it has helped me a lot. When I come out of prison I’ll be a changed person,” he added.

Chirwa asked if he could stay with his mother temporarily while he looks for a job so he could take care of himself.

Magistrate Mashavakure referred Mpofu for counselling and asked her to forgive her son.

“I will grant the protection order but he is your son; try to forgive him because you can also see for yourself that he is remorseful. I will refer you for counselling before he is released from prison to help you welcome him at home,” said the magistrate.

“Definitely, Chirwa you’ve to move out of the house. You will stay at home for a short time until you look for a job. She is your mother and you should also know your position,” she added.