Man bashes dad over rentals

A Harare man has been hauled before the courts for bashing his father over rentals.

Batsirai Gundura of Mbare claims his father, Morris, is mentally-challenged and should not collect rentals.

Morris yesterday hauled his son Batsirai before the Harare Civil Court seeking a protection order against him.

He told magistrate Gamuchirai Siwardi that Batsirai does not fend for his family and wants to rely on rentals from his tenants.

"He always assaults me using open hands and clenched fists," complained Morris.

"Last time when I asked him why he was staying with his family at my house, he started assaulting me.

"He forbids me from collecting rentals at my own house and if I do so, he assaults me."

Batsirai refuted his father's allegations.

"My father sometimes loses his mind and when he does so, that is when he accuses me of assaulting him. I have never assaulted him," Batsirai said.

Magistrate Siwardi dismissed Morris' application.

"It seems as if the assault was a once-off thing so the applicant should have reported the matter to the police," Siwardi ruled.