Online Reporter
Spiwe Sarakunze
Herald Reporter
A WOMAN from Harare has been granted a protection order against her jealous sister-in-law, whom she accused of assaulting, insulting and exhibiting violent behaviour.
Diana Shikirirau told Harare Civil Court magistrate, Ms Johanna Mukwesha, that the behaviour of her sister-in- law Memory Chingati, who is married to her brother, had strained family relations.
According to Shikirirau, trouble began when she went to visit her brother, who had been sick for some time.
“I just wanted to check on my brother and see how he was doing, but she treated me like an enemy the moment I arrived.”
The aunt said that instead of being welcomed into the home, she was met with hostility and accusations.
Chingati allegedly accused her of being close to her brother’s younger wife.
“She told me I was not welcome and that I must leave immediately. Before I could even reason with her, she started shouting, hurling insults, and eventually physically chased me away from the house,” she said.
“I felt humiliated because I was only there out of love and concern for my brother, whose leg was amputated due to a health condition.”
Shikirirau claimed that it was not the first time that she had been abused by Chingati. She claimed that Chingati always abuses her whenever she visits her sick brother.
The court heard that on one occasion, Chingati pushed Shikirirau out of the house, while on another occasion, Chingati made demeaning insults about her relationship with the family.
“She keeps accusing me of liking my brother’s younger wife more than her and calling me a witch, and l don’t even know why she has that impression.
“I have always treated my sisters-in-law equally, but she has made it her mission to turn to cause problems over unfounded claims.”
Shikirirau lamented that the tension has become so unbearable that she can no longer visit her brother freely.
“I am her husband’s sister; I should be able to see him, especially when he is unwell, but his wife has made it impossible, she uses violence and intimidation to keep me away,” she said.
Shikirirau asked the court to intervene, saying that she just wants peace and to be able to see her brother without fear of being attacked or insulted.
She also claimed that Chingati caused her brother to fall soon after he was discharged when she pushed him while physically assaulting her.
However, Chingati disputed the allegations, saying she was the victim.
“She is the one who harasses me and calls me names; she is trying to fix me since she never loved me.”
She said Shikirirau was conniving with her husband’s young wife to disturb her peace. She alleged that she is being blamed for everything, including her husband’s condition.
She accused Shikirirau of fixing her by making her look after her husband alone while his other wife was free to enjoy her life.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Johanna Mukwesha granted a protection order in Shikirirau’s favour, barring Chingati from further violence or interference with her visits.
The magistrate also warned Chingati to avoid disturbing her husband’s recovery and to maintain peace in the household.
