Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A HARARE woman has obtained a protection order against her son amid a heated paternal dispute.
Ms Ruster Maguranyanga, a retired council worker, accused her son Moses Maguranyanga of a disturbing pattern of abuse, threats and harassment.
Appearing before magistrate Mr Ashton Dube, Ms Maguranyanga, a mother of nine, recounted how her son, whom she described as a drug addict, had turned her home into a battleground.
“I worked hard and bought a house after my retirement; now I do not have peace in my own house.
“All my nine children know that I was a hard worker at the Harare City Council, but Moses is causing problems. I think he wants to take over my property,” she said.
Ms Maguranyanga testified that Moses regularly insulted her, questioned her past relationships, and demanded to know why she had children with different men.
She alleged that his confrontations had escalated to violent threats, including an incident where he attempted to stab her.
Ms Maguranyanga also mentioned that Moses had threatened to kill his sister, who suffers from mental health challenges.
“He no longer respects me as his mother; he demands money, refuses to work, and insults me for the life I lived decades ago.
“I fear for my life and for the safety of my daughter,” she stated.
The pensioner further claimed that Moses had abandoned his responsibilities, refusing to work alongside his wife and instead choosing to remain at home, where tensions continued to rise.
She described living in constant fear, unable to find peace in her own home.
Ms Maguranyanga told the court that when she had nine children with different fathers, she was in love; therefore, no one must question her choices.
She claimed that she provided for them until they grew up.
The court heard that Moses insulted his mother, calling her a prostitute who lacked the self-control resulting in nine children with different fathers. Ms Maguranyanga shed tears as she expressed her pain, alleging that her son’s wish was to evict her from the house she worked for, so he could live there with his wife.
“It pains me to see a child whom I gave birth strip me of my dignity in front of neighbours, yet he depends on my pension funds along with his wife.
“I came here for help; I fear that one day he may act on his threats, so I need protection for myself and my mentally challenged daughter,” she said.
In response, Moses presented a different narrative. He denied all allegations of drug use and violence, asserting that he worked to support his mother.
He claimed that the conflict arose from his desire to understand his roots, a quest he alleged was met with hostility from his mother.
“I am not a drug addict; I work for my mother. I help her, but every time I ask about our paternity or why she gave all her pension funds worth US$900 to my eldest brother, she insults me.
“She abuses me emotionally. I just want to know the truth,” he explained.
Moses further claimed that his mother took advantage of his situation, stating that when he confronted his elder brother about the money, he turned against him, accusing Moses of trying to seize the property.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Dube granted a protection order in favour of Ms Maguranyanga.
The order stipulated that Moses must refrain from physically, emotionally and verbally abusing his mother.
He was also advised to maintain respect for her and to address any disputes peacefully.
