Woman seeks peace order against uncle over deceased father's house

A Harare woman, Rachel Bunduri, has approached the Harare Civil Court seeking a peace order against her uncle, Ishmael Bunduri, whom she accuses of forcing her out of her late father's house. Rachel appeared before Magistrate Mrs. Meenal Narotam, where she detailed her grievances, claiming her uncle and his son, Wire Bunduri, have been verbally abusive and are unlawfully collecting rent from the property.

Rachel told the court that Ishmael denies her right to the house, alleging she is not his late brother's biological daughter. "He told me I should never come back home. He claims that I am not his brother's biological daughter, therefore the house does not belong to me," she said.

Rachel further revealed that her uncle had sent her disabled sister and her child to rural areas so he could rent out the house. She asserted that her parents left the property to her and questioned why Ishmael and his son were interfering. "My parents left me the house, and I can prove it. I want them barred from the property," she added.

In response, Ishmael denied Rachel's allegations, stating she had previously claimed to have found her biological father. He argued that, as a family, they decided she could no longer stay at the house. "She told everyone my brother was not her biological father, and we made the decision as a family. She doesn't pay any bills for the house, yet she wants to collect rent when I am the one taking care of the water and electricity bills," Ishmael said.

After hearing both parties, Magistrate Mrs. Narotam advised the family to take the matter to the Master of the High Court for proper determination of ownership and inheritance issues. The case highlights the challenges surrounding property inheritance disputes within families, especially in cases where biological lineage is contested.