Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A WATERFALLS woman, Elita Zhou (65), has sought legal protection against her stepson, Blessing Makumva (36), who allegedly withheld her medication as part of an inheritance dispute.
Zhou detailed her struggles before the civil court magistrate, Ms Johanna Mukwesha.
She testified about the emotional and physical abuse she faced from her stepson.
“I am the one who took care of him after his father’s death, and I never knew that he would think of putting my life at risk in the name of inheritance.”
She revealed that she had gone without her medication for two months, as Makumva threatened to withhold it until she vacated the property they shared.
Zhou claimed her stepson has also verbally harassed her and once issued a death threat while holding a knife.
She also accused him of physically assaulting her and throwing her belongings outside the house.
Zhou said her health had deteriorated due to the lack of medication while her late husband’s relatives supported Makumva, which has worsened her abuse and isolation.
The property in question was built by Zhou and her late husband, but Makumva claims ownership as the only child.
Zhou said that she would rather die than give up the house.
“I put tenants in so that I may have money to sustain myself. He is the one who is supposed to move and depend on his own,” Zhou said.
She further claimed that her stepson had previously refused to marry, revealing his intentions to remain in the family home indefinitely.
In response, Makumva denied the allegations, claiming that he was the one suffering under his stepmother’s rule.
He accused her of mismanaging their family’s finances and asserted that Zhou’s relatives took control of his late father’s property, prompting his fight for inheritance rights.
Makumva insisted that he was the rightful owner of the property and declared that he would not vacate, regardless of Zhou’s plans.
Given the circumstances and evidence presented, the court recognized the need for intervention to protect Zhou’s rights and well-being.
The court ruled in favour of Zhou, ordering Makumva to return her medication and to cease any harassment or physical abuse.
