BY TAWANDA MARWIZI BUHERA — An MDC-T activist, who is nursing scars she suffered at the hands of Zanu PF militia during the 2008 elections, is blocking her son from marrying into a family that supports the former ruling party, accusing them of being part of the gang that brutalised her during the violent polls. Marian Marima of Chapanduka area in Buhera said she would not allow her son, Modern, to marry Patience Dhuwa whose family she accused of bashing her during the violent Presidential run-off.
She cannot stomach the idea of staying with the six-month pregnant daughter-in-law because her family was allegedly part of the Zanu PF youths that attacked her during the election, leaving her with several scars.
“They were part of the youth militia that beat me up at their base and I have told my son Modern not to marry that girl despite the fact that she is already pregnant,” Marima told Standardcommunity last week.
“Every day sleeping for me is a problem because of the side effects of that beating, so you think I am happy with that?”
Patience, whose bulging stomach was easily noticeable, refused to comment referring all questions to her brother, Tawedzerwa.
“My brother will solve the matter but as for now I can’t say anything,” she said. Pressed further, Patience said at first they were in good books with Modern but things turned nasty when she got pregnant.
Tawedzerwa had no kind words for the Marima family, threatening to beat them up if they failed to accommodate his sister. “We are going to show them the way if they fail to take her,” he said. “Their son knew very well that our family is pure Zanu PF. After all (President Robert) Mugabe and (Prime Minister Morgan) Tsvangirai are eating at the same table but they (the Marima family) still have that (anger) in their heart.”
Tsvangirai recently married Elizabeth, the daughter of a Zanu PF politburo member and former mayor of Chitungwiza, Joseph Macheka. Tawedzerwa said they were going to take the matter to Chief Mushumba’s court next week for arbitration.
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The tension between the two Buhera families comes at a time when the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration has been accused of failing to reconcile victims and alleged perpetrators of political violence in the past elections.
The organ’s mandate is to create an environment of tolerance and respect among Zimbabweans and ensuring that all citizens are treated with dignity and decency irrespective of age, gender, race, ethnicity, place of origin or political affiliation.
