Harare Man Attacks Mother-in-Law Over Wife’s Valentine’s Gift from Another Man

A Valentine’s Day gift from another man sparked a violent confrontation in Harare, leading to a man attacking his mother-in-law in a fit of rage.

Elita Mpofu, the victim, alleged that her son-in-law, Tinashe Chiyangwa, physically assaulted her after discovering that his wife had received a gift from a male friend. The incident, which occurred on Valentine’s Day, has now escalated into a legal dispute, with Elita seeking justice at the Harare Civil Court.

According to Elita, Tinashe stormed into her home, yelling accusations of infidelity against his wife. When she attempted to intervene and diffuse the situation, he turned his aggression toward her.

“He pushed me to the ground and started assaulting me. He accused me of encouraging my daughter to be unfaithful. Even when my daughter tried to explain that the gift was just a friendly gesture, he refused to listen,” Elita recounted.

She sustained a leg injury from the attack, which left her traumatized and determined to seek legal protection.

When given a chance to respond, Tinashe admitted to losing his temper but defended his reaction, claiming he felt disrespected.

“I was angry because my mother-in-law allowed another man to give my wife a romantic gift on Valentine’s Day,” he said. “She knows that I paid lobola (bride price) for her daughter, yet she permits other men to approach her.”

Though he acknowledged his behavior was wrong, he insisted his actions stemmed from frustration and a sense of betrayal.