‘They Beat Me and Threw Me Out’: Mutasa Woman Battles Husband and Son Over Farm Inputs
A domestic conflict over government-issued farming inputs has spiraled into serious allegations of abuse and forced eviction, after Joice Mhara, a married woman from Mutasa, accused her husband, son, and daughter-in-law of driving her out of her matrimonial home and subjecting her to prolonged mistreatment.
The matter was heard last week before Chief Mutasa’s community court, where Mhara revealed she had been living in a tobacco barn for four months after being chased from the family homestead.
Mhara said the dispute stems from the control of Presidential farming inputs, which are registered in her husband’s name but allegedly monopolized by her son, Willard Kudzai Rudhuwa, and his wife, Irene Sithole.
“I am being abused by my husband, our son, and his wife. It is all because of the farm we own together with my husband. Every season when Government distributes Presidential inputs, they come in my husband’s name. I am never allowed to access or use them to farm.
“My son and his wife always take control and I am treated like an outsider in my own home. I am the mother of the house, but they treat me like I am a stranger,” Mhara said.
She told the court that her attempt to speak up during the last farming season led to her eviction.
“When I tried to speak up and ask about the inputs because I wanted us to plant early, they accused me of being greedy and disrespectful.
“That is when they chased me out of the house. I had no choice but to stay in the tobacco barn. For four months, a married woman like me stayed in a tobacco barn.”
According to Manica Post, Mhara later obtained a protection order against her husband, son, and daughter-in-law, citing a pattern of abuse and neglect.
Legal experts reportedly advised her that she had the right to build her own house on the property. However, when she informed her children of her decision to move out, they resisted.
“When I asked my brother to come and collect me, my children began crying, saying they did not want me to go.
“My husband and son, all they do is drink beer and waste money. They don’t support me or the other children,” she said.
Mhara also alleged that her son physically assaulted her and his sister.
“My son beat me with switches. He also beat his sister. He said I was abusing him and his father. But how do you abuse your own son when you are only trying to access what is rightfully yours?”
Willard denied the allegations. “I have never beaten my mother. All these things she is saying are false. She has her own problems and fights everyone at home,” he said.
His wife, Irene, also distanced herself from the accusations.
“I have seen them fighting her. I was never a part of it. I stayed out of their issues. This started long before I even joined their family. I do not know why she is dragging me into it.”
Obadiah Rudhuwa admitted to having marital problems but accused Mhara of causing chaos in the family — including allegedly setting fire to their house.
“She burnt our house. Our bedroom and storeroom were reduced to rubble. We lost fertiliser and a bed, all worth US$4,000. She did it intentionally. I did not report her to the police for arson, but I informed her parents,” he said.
He also admitted to physically assaulting her during a confrontation involving their daughter.
“Our daughter is doing Form Four, but she brings boyfriends home. I was trying to discipline her when she blocked me and she was caught in the cross-fire.
“Recently, she refused to give tomatoes to our daughter-in-law when I asked her to do so. She smashed the windows at the house. I have tried to engage her relatives to intervene with no joy,” he said.
Chief Mutasa condemned the violence and disrespect shown to Mhara, particularly by her son and daughter-in-law.
“Never beat your parents, no matter how old or big you are. Why would you beat your own mother? This is a woman who carried you for nine months, gave birth to you, and raised you. It is disgraceful.
“Your wife is just as disrespectful. Tell me, Irene, have you ever hit your own mother? Why then would you strike your husband’s mother?”
The traditional leader clarified that the land belongs to the couple, not their children, and ordered Willard to vacate the farm if he cannot respect his mother.
