Man sells dad's phone, property to fund drug addiction

A man appeared before Harare magistrate Meenal Narotam this week, accused of selling his father's phone and other household items to support his drug addiction.

Angelina Mukurunyorova, the mother of the accused, Josphat Mukurunyorova, brought the matter to court, where she was granted a protection order against her son. She described a pattern of intimidation and threats from Josphat, including threats to kill her with a kitchen knife.

"I am now afraid to be around him, he has become so aggressive, he no longer respects me as his mother," Angelina told the court.

She explained that Josphat frequently demands money from her and resorts to selling household property when she cannot meet his demands.

"Last weekend, he sold his father's phone, an empty drum, and a packet of sugar," she added. "He is now unpredictable, and most of the time it's just me and him in the house, so I fear he might harm me."

Josphat, however, denied the allegations, insisting his mother merely wants him out of the house.

"I have never sold my mother's property. She just wants to find a way to evict me from her home," Josphat claimed.

Magistrate Narotam ordered Josphat to maintain peace in the household, refrain from abusing his mother, and to stop selling her property without consent.

The case sheds light on the challenges families face when dealing with addiction and domestic tensions.