Arron Nyamayaro
A SOUTHETON man forcibly took his four-year-old son from his ex-wife, accusing her of initiating the boy into marine spirits.
Josphat Muswati claims his ex-wife, Anna Chinake, did not have the right qualities to raise his son into the person he wants him to be.
He claims Anna took the child’s birth certificate to some manjuzu, forcing him to seek help from the Registrar’s Office for a duplicate birth certificate. On Friday, Anna teamed up with her mother, Fiona Madheira and a friend and went to Southerton, to collect the child.
Fiona Madheira
However, their attempts were in vain.
Josphat took the child to one of his relatives.
“Anna has been taking my son for manjuzu, leaving him locked up in a house,” said Josphat.
“She took his birthc ertificate to manjuzu last year and until today she can’t avail it.
“I am aware that the child is a minor who is supposed to be under the custody of his mother but Anna appears to have been misled about the so-called manjuzu.
“On Friday, she called asking for the son claiming that his visiting uncle from Congo wanted to see the child.
“I cannot see my son being initiated into such an evil cult; that is why I took him. I think it is better for him to stay with his step mother.”
Fiona confirmed the fight between Josphat and Anna saying the minor has been staying with a step mother since January.
“Anna last stayed with her son sometime in Janauary,” said Fiona.
“Josphat decided to take the child for him to live with his new wife following a misunderstanding.
“I humbled myself and visited his new wife to see if the child was staying well with her step mother and was satisfied.
“Today (Friday) Anna informed Josphat’s wife about her intention to take the child home and Josphat sent a message agreeing to that.
“We were surprised to find no one at the house and waited until midnight only to be phoned by media about the issue.
“Is Josphat supposed to be the custodian of that minor child.
“Ndirikufanira kuenda kwa Murehwa kunogadzirisa zvechivanu,” said Fiona.
Anna told H-Metro that she would find all ways to force Josphat to return the child.
She denied her participation in marine spirits (Manjuzu).
“I waited at Josphat’s house for the child but he never showed up,” said Anna.
“Achabudikira zvake kwaakahwanda ikoko.
“I will make sure I get my son, if it means engaging police, I will do so.
“As for manjuzu, Josphat has no evidence to prove that I am into manjuzu.
“He never saw me conducting manjuzu from the time we separated.
“We separated four years ago.”