An 82-year-old Harare woman, Gogo Mandizvidza, has secured a protection order against her grandson, Brian Ruwinza, following harrowing testimony detailing repeated instances of abuse and attempted rape.
The case, heard before Magistrate Judith Taruvinga, painted a grim picture of a vulnerable elderly woman subjected to the violent and unpredictable behaviour of her grandson.
Gogo Mandizvidza recounted a pattern of abuse directly linked to Ruwinza’s alcohol consumption.
She stated: “Whenever he is drunk, he demands to have sex with me. I have turned him away a number of times and he gets mad and physically assaults me.”
Her testimony revealed a deeply distressing situation, highlighting the repeated nature of the abuse and the fear it instilled. The emotional toll on Gogo Mandizvidza was evident, with the grandmother stating that Ruwinza’s actions have left her feeling depressed.
Beyond the sexual assault attempts, Gogo Mandizvidza detailed further instances of abuse, including financial exploitation and the disruption of her livelihood. She explained how Ruwinza’s behaviour extended to harassing her tenants, leading to periods without rental income.
“He is in the habit of chasing away my tenants leaving me without any income to buy my medicine,” she said.
This financial instability further compounded the vulnerability of an elderly woman already facing significant emotional distress.
Ruwinza, in his defence, acknowledged his actions but attributed them to alcohol and substance abuse.
He stated: “These things happen when I am drunk and I won’t remember any of it. I apologise for my actions and plead for the court’s lenience.”
He also confessed to stealing money from his grandmother while under the influence of alcohol. This admission acknowledged culpability but did little to mitigate the severity of the allegations against him.
The court heard compelling evidence of a pattern of abuse, demonstrating a clear need for intervention to protect Gogo Mandizvidza.
Magistrate Taruvinga recognised the seriousness of the situation and granted the protection order without hesitation. The order explicitly prohibits Ruwinza from harassing or contacting his grandmother in any way.
This legal protection offers Gogo Mandizvidza a crucial measure of safety and security, allowing her to begin the process of healing and rebuilding her life free from the fear of further abuse.
