Religious wars turn nasty

The ManicaPost

Tendai Gukutikwa
A MARANGE man’s desire to have his child, daughter-in-law and brother barred from visiting his house hit a brick wall after it was proven that he was the culprit who was in contempt of the chief’s order.
John Chidziya had dragged his son, Shadreck, daughter-in-law, Loveness Matamba and his younger brother, Daniel to court.
“They say they want me to be like my late father who worshipped the ancestors. I want them to be barred from visiting or even talking to me,” he said.
However, tables turned when Shadreck was given the platform to respond to his father’s allegations. He told the court that his married daughter was not feeling well and had asked his father for help on countless times, but to no avail. Following the impasse they approached the chief who then ordered John to take them to his church.
“Your Worship, my daughter who has been married for three years now is suffering with an ailment that can not be cured by medical doctors. She was once admitted at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, but was later discharged without any help,” said Shadreck.
Shadreck said his daughter menstruated five to six months non-stop each year since she got married.
“When we went to the chief for help, he instructed my father to take us to his church so that they might help us there since he said he does not consult traditional healers,” he said.
John, however, stammered when he was asked to respond.
He said it was not his duty to visit or take the sick grandchild to his church since he had done his duty on his own children.
“I will not waste my time on someone’s children, I want them to be barred from troubling and visiting me. This sick woman is not my daughter. When my children got ill I dealt with their ailments myself. I never asked my father to help me. Shadreck, you should do the same with your own children. I am your father and I refuse to be used,” he said.
Mutare magistrate, Mrs Chigodora advised the family to go and abide by the chief’s ruling, otherwise they would be in contempt of the chief’s court. She, however, advised the three to keep peace with John.