By Melisa Munzvandi
For the next 12 months, Mathodzi Mbedzi must keep his threats to himself.
Abel Tsuma dragged him to court accusing him of threatening to kill him, threatening to torch his house, drowning his donkeys and destroying his property.
The matter was before Provincial Magistrate Mbonisi Kaweni.
Tsuma told the court that the threats never stop. He said Mbedzi always threatens to try to kill him.
Mbedzi fought back. He said Tsuma is an elder but he is lying. He said he has no problem with Tsuma’s property.
He said the real fight is over a field. Tsuma wanted a field from his 80 year old grandmother, he said, and he refused to give it. He agreed to keep the peace but denied plotting to burn the fields because they belong to his grandmother.
By consent, Magistrate Kaweni barred Mbedzi from insulting, destroying property and threatening Tsuma.
The field dispute will not be settled in court. Since Tsuma is the village head, it will go through the village elders.
Mbedzi was also ordered to return the bed and other properties belonging to Tsuma that are still in his possession.