Sisters clash over same man at Chief's court

A long-running family dispute erupted at Chief Mutasa's traditional court after two sisters found themselves at the centre of a bitter conflict involving the same man, exposing decades-old secrets and allegations that have fractured family ties.

The matter was brought before the court by Mary Muchena, who accused her younger sister, Brenda Makonesa, of destroying her 26-year marriage by pursuing a relationship with her husband, Jeremiah Muchena.

"My younger sister stole my husband from me and they are now living together," Mary told the court.

According to Mary, Brenda came to live with the family as a young teenager after completing Grade Seven.

"She was only 13 when she came to stay with us during school holidays. Looking back now, I think that is when their relationship started," she alleged.

Mary said her marriage, which was registered under Zimbabwe's marriage laws, effectively collapsed in November last year when Jeremiah left their matrimonial home.

She told the court that attempts to repair the relationship had been unsuccessful.

"We even went to court. He said he still loved me, but he never came back home," she said.

However, Jeremiah offered a different account of events.

While admitting that he fathered Brenda's child, he insisted the relationship occurred more than two decades ago during a period when he and Mary had temporarily separated.

"When Mary left home after a dispute over business money, I started a relationship with Brenda. She fell pregnant and the child is now 22 years old," Jeremiah told the court.

He said a DNA test later confirmed that he was the biological father of Brenda's daughter.

According to Jeremiah, Brenda's family pressured him to accept responsibility following the paternity confirmation.

Despite acknowledging the past relationship, he denied claims that he is currently living with Brenda.

"I live in Harare and she lives in Honde Valley. Just because I left my wife does not mean I am staying with her sister," he said.

Brenda also rejected allegations that she had taken her sister's husband.

She claimed Jeremiah initially denied responsibility for her pregnancy because he feared Mary's reaction.

"He was scared of my sister. She used to beat him," Brenda alleged.

She told the court that she later married another man and moved on with her life.

The issue resurfaced years later when her daughter sought answers about her biological father, prompting the DNA test that confirmed Jeremiah's paternity.

Brenda admitted that during arguments surrounding the matter she once threatened to pursue a relationship with Jeremiah if the DNA results proved he was the father.

"I said it out of anger because of the insults I was getting," she explained.

Adding another layer to the dispute, Jeremiah accused Mary of keeping suspicious items in their home which he believed were linked to rituals, although no evidence was presented to support the allegation.

Despite the acrimony, Jeremiah maintained that he still had feelings for his wife.

"I still love my wife. We are just going through a rough patch," he told the court.

Chief Mutasa dismissed claims that were based solely on suspicion and speculation, stressing that decisions could only be made on the basis of evidence.

"I do not judge rumours. Bring evidence," he ruled.

The traditional leader advised the couple to consider pursuing a formal legal divorce if reconciliation was no longer possible, bringing an end to a case that exposed years of family conflict, unresolved grievances and lingering questions over relationships within the extended family.