Family wrangle over house ownership
THREE Mutare residents allegedly connived to try and grab their uncle’s Sakubva house, claiming that it belonged to their late brother.
The Zatando trio, Tinashe (26), Hilda (30) and Collen (23) also had the guts of putting tenants into the house and squander the rentals, while the real owner of the house and uncle, Gilbert Olesa was wallowing in poverty at his Mupudzi rural home.
The Zatandos claimed that the house belonged to the late Shadreck Zatando.
They appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato at Mutare Civil Court where Olesa was applying for a protection order against the trio.
It emerged that the property accrued arrears at Mutare City Council as the Zatandos squandered the money which was being paid as rent by the tenants.
Olesa said he took over the ownership of the house after Shadreck’s death as he was also on the Mutare City Council housing waiting list.
He said he also changed the ownership of the house to his name as he was the one who was paying the monthly rentals to Mutare City Council.
His nephews insisted that the house belonged to the late Shadreck.
Olesa said since his nephews are grown-ups, they should find alternative accommodation and stop harassing him.
The three Zatandos admitted that they were wrong to rent out some rooms at the house without their uncle’s consent and asked for his forgiveness.
They also pleaded to continue staying with him since he is the surviving fatherly figure.
However, Hilda accused her uncle of greediness, a reason why he changed the ownership of the house into his name before the late Shadreck’s burial after lying that he was the only surviving family member.
She also accused Olesa of ill-treating his mother during her stay at the disputed house.
“Our uncle would make his mother share her room with his guinea pigs. After some time, he chased her away,” said Hilda.
Mr Chipato granted the protection order to Olesa which is valid for five years.
The protection order bars Tinashe, Hilda and Collen from insulting and harassing Olesa.
