Cousins' feud over stolen thatching grass

A long-standing feud between two Nyanga cousins has escalated into a troubling series of allegations involving theft, violence, and abuse, with the matter now before Chief Saunyama's community court. The dispute centers around the illegal sale of 86 bundles of thatching grass, which one cousin, Rudo Mukura, claims were stolen by her cousin, Chakanetsa Ziko, without her consent.

Mukura, who cut the grass with the intention of selling some and using the rest to thatch her elderly mother's hut, recounted her frustration in court. She explained that Ziko had stolen the grass after she had painstakingly gathered it, a behavior he had exhibited before. Mukura accused Ziko of waiting for her to complete her work before claiming ownership of the grass. When she confronted him about the theft, Mukura alleged that Ziko responded with violence rather than offering an apology.

"He attacked me instead of apologising. This is not the first time he has done this," Mukura told the court. "I cut the grass to sell some and use the rest to thatch my mother's hut. Ziko stole and sold it."

The theft of the grass is just one aspect of the troubling conflict. Mukura also shared that Ziko's behavior had extended beyond the theft, claiming that he had made threatening and degrading remarks toward her. Mukura, a divorcee who now lives with her mother, revealed that Ziko had questioned her living situation and even made disturbing comments about her marital status.

"He says I should get married so that my husband can ‘muzzle me.' He constantly questions why I stay with my mother instead of being married. I suspect that he has an unnatural interest in me, despite us being related," Mukura said.

In addition to these personal attacks, Mukura accused Ziko of using his connections to intimidate others and avoid justice. She claimed that Ziko boasted about his influence, saying that even if they reported him to the police, he would not face consequences.

"We now fear for our safety, but we cannot remain silent any longer," Mukura said.

Mukura's mother, Lea Munyota, provided further testimony that painted Ziko as a violent and dangerous individual. Munyota described an incident where Ziko allegedly assaulted her when she attempted to intervene during one of his attacks on Mukura.

"He told me he would kill me. He grabbed my new hoe and tried to strike me with it. If I had not dodged, I would not be alive today," Munyota recalled, trembling as she spoke. "He took my hoe, which belonged to my late husband, and he still has it."

The root of the conflict, according to Mukura and her mother, appears to be a piece of land Mukura inherited from her late aunt. Ziko has reportedly tried to seize the land, resorting to violence and intimidation to claim ownership. Mukura insists that the land is rightfully hers, as it was inherited from her aunt, a woman who also had the right to own land.

"This land is mine, but Ziko refuses to respect that. Instead, he uses violence and intimidation to try to force me off it," Mukura explained. "He claims that a girl child cannot inherit land, yet that land belonged to my aunt, who was also a woman. If my aunt could inherit it, why can I not also inherit it?"

Ziko, who was summoned to appear before Chief Saunyama's court, failed to attend the proceedings. In response, Chief Saunyama adjourned the case until December 15 to ensure that Ziko is present to answer the allegations.

In his remarks, Chief Saunyama expressed his disapproval of Ziko's alleged actions and emphasized the seriousness of the accusations.

"Stealing from family members, assaulting women, and making threats of violence are serious offences," Chief Saunyama stated. "If these accusations are true, Ziko has not only broken the law but also violated our cultural values and brought shame upon his family."

The Chief assured the court that justice would be pursued, regardless of the accused's status, and that no one is above the law.

"We must protect the vulnerable among us. This court will ensure that justice is served, no matter who the offender is. No one is above the law, and anyone who thinks otherwise will soon learn that this is not the case," Chief Saunyama concluded.