Politics
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Family Feud Over Inheritance Escalates in Harare
A dispute over property inheritance has led to a family conflict involving alleged harassment and eviction attempts in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Jamie Bailey
- 2023-12-22
- Updated [[ARTICLE TIME]]
Innocent Mtitima is facing eviction and harassment by his cousins, the children of Nicholus Chazika. The conflict arose from an inheritance disagreement over a house purportedly left to Chazika's relatives by their mutual grandmother. Mtitima has sought legal recourse, taking Chazika to the Harare Civil Court for causing disturbances at his residence. One incident escalated to Chazika physically assaulting Mtitima's child and sister, a matter now pending in the Mbare Court. Despite these confrontations, the cousins maintain a separate domicile in Chihota, while claiming rights to the disputed house.
Legal Challenges and Claims
The ongoing inheritance issue has been taken up by the Master of High Court to determine rightful ownership. Mtitima has provided video evidence to support his claims of being disturbed by Chazika at the controversial residence. Chazika counters with allegations that Mtitima has conspired with locals to attack or expel Chazika from the Gwatidzo Street neighborhood where the contested property is located. Furthermore, it has been suggested by Chazika that Mtitima should reside at an alternative property inherited from his own father, from which Mtitima currently collects rent.
Court Order and Continued Dispute
In light of the situation, Judge Sharon Mashavira has granted Mtitima a protection order. Despite Chazika's insistence on residency, fueled by the grandmother's decision to leave the house to Chazika's mother, the legal processes have not yet resolved the ownership dispute. The protection order represents a temporary measure to safeguard Mtitima and his family amid the conflict.
The feud encapsulates the complex dynamics often accompanying familial inheritance disputes. As the legal proceedings continue, both parties await a resolution that will clarify the ownership and possibly bring an end to the current state of unrest.
