Uncle Gets Court Protection From Nephew Demanding Father’s Identity

A Mutare man has been given a five-year peace order after he repeatedly threatened his uncle with a knife and demanded to know who his biological father was.

The Mutare Civil Court granted the order against Marlon Mungwaru. His uncle, Shepherd Mungwaru, had asked for protection, saying Marlon’s violent behaviour had left the family living in fear.

Magistrate Priscilla Gumbo issued the order.

In court, Shepherd said Marlon often carried a knife and used it to threaten family members when they tried to discipline him. He said Marlon also intimidated him at home and at work.

“He is my nephew, and he walks with a knife, and if we try to rebuke him, he threatens me with the knife,” said Shepherd.

“He came to my workplace and tried to smash my car’s windscreen. He always storms my workplace, threatening me. I do not want him to continue threatening me.

“We stay together with him. We have problems at our house, so we want him to vacate because it is our mother’s house.

“Her mother is still alive, and lives with us, and he also has pending issues with his mother.”

Marlon did not oppose the request for a peace order, but he denied threatening his uncle with a knife. He told the court his main concern was finding out who his biological father is.

Magistrate Gumbo told Marlon off, saying no problem justified threatening relatives or using violence.

“We do not allow you to threaten people to disclose who your father is. You can be arrested. Is that the reason why you are threatening them with a knife?” the magistrate asked.

After listening to both sides, Magistrate Gumbo granted Shepherd a peace order that will last for five years.

She warned Marlon not to threaten, harass, intimidate, or be violent towards Shepherd or other family members.

The magistrate also warned that if Marlon breaks the order, he will be arrested immediately and could be taken to court.

In many Zimbabwean cultures, it is important to know who your biological father is because your father’s lineage determines your mutupo, or totem.

This matters for marriage, family rituals and ancestral ceremonies. In some communities, marrying someone with the same totem is taboo. Not knowing your father can therefore cause social and spiritual anxiety.

For girls, roora, or bride price, negotiations are traditionally carried out with the father’s family. For boys, the father’s family is also expected to help pay lobola when he marries. Not knowing the father complicates these processes and can lead to stigma.

The extended family system is strong. A child without a known father can be seen as “belonging to no one” in the paternal line. That can affect where they are buried, which family functions they attend, and who represents them in community matters.

More: The Manica Post