Rumour monger dragged to court

A MUTARE woman was last week dragged to court as she is accused of rumour mongering.

Having had enough of her former friend, Patience Mushonga’s gossip, Fungai Ngwarayi decided to seek the court’s intervention.

Ngwarayi accused Mushonga of mocking her and teaming up with other neighbours to gossip about her.

She said Mushonga accuses her of being a woman of loose morals and snatching someone’s husband.

Ngwarayi told Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato, that Mushonga is obsessed with gossiping and that she has influenced other neighbours to turn against her.

“We used to be close friends and she is my neighbour. She started spreading malicious rumours against me after I secured employment in town. l think she got jealousy that I secured a job.

“She is now mobilising people to mock me. She sometimes, together with her friends, congregate near my house to shout and accuse me of snatching someone’s husband. My marriage is under threat as she accuses me of being a husband snatcher. I even told my husband about this and he is equally disturbed, that is why I have decided to approach the court to apply for a peace order,” she said.

Mushonga did not oppose Ngwarai’s application, but argued that she is a peace-loving person.

“I am surprised that my name is being dragged into all this. Ngwarai recently fought with other women in our neighbourhood and I only intervened to restrain them from fighting. I don’t know where all this is coming from.

“I am surprised that she is now accusing me of being a rumour monger. I, however, do not oppose her application. There is nothing I can do about it but what will happen to our children since they are friends?” she said.

Mr Chipato granted Ngwarai’s application for a peace order and ordered both parties to maintain peace towards each other.