This situation
can be worsened when the mother’s lover attempts to assert authority in their
home. This played out in Makokoba suburb in Bulawayo, where Tracy Marunga,
whose husband passed away in 2015, was left to raise her two daughters and son,
William Marunga.
In 2020, Tracy
told the court, she decided to move on and began a relationship with Patrick
Munodawafa, a resident of the same suburb.
After Tracy
brought her new lover home, her son William became hostile, disrespecting her
by shouting at her in Munodawafa’s presence.
“Every time I
bring Patrick home, my son becomes angry and accuses me of disrespecting their
father’s memory in their father’s house. He then shouts at me and threatens to
prevent my lover from visiting. He forgets that this is my house, and the title
deeds are in my name. I pray that this court grants me a protection order so
that he will stop harassing me and my lover.”
William did not
attend the court session. The presiding
magistrate, Challenge Mahembe, granted Tracy a protection order against her
son.
William was
ordered to refrain from verbally abusing his mother and was also prohibited
from harassing her and threatening her with physical violence.`
George Bango 
