Chief Mangwende, a traditional leader, has expressed concern over the increasing number of couples seeking DNA tests and the significant toll it takes on the mental health of the children involved in these disputes.
He lamented that children often suffer emotional and physical abuse during the process. Said Chief Mangwende (via <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/dna-tests-inflicting-serious-damage-on-kids-says-chief/">H-Metro</a>):
<blockquote>
We have noted with concern some emotional and physical abuse suffered by children being taken for DNA tests.
Some children are left emotionally damaged after being taken through paternal tests. These children are affected by these disputes.
When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.
In the fight fight between the couples, the children are the ones who are most affected and we must consider their protection for a better future.
</blockquote>
Chief Mangwende explained that, traditionally, African culture had mechanisms in place to protect all children, including those born out of illicit relationships. He said:
<blockquote>
According to our tradition and culture, our elders used to safeguard the children, even those who were born out of wedlock.
Ndosaka mainzwa vakuru vedu vaiti gomba harina mwana (That’s why our elders would say that a lover has no child).
It was a way of protecting life of the children.
</blockquote>
According to Chief Mangwende, traditionally, nature had its own ways of punishing women who cheated on their husbands. He said:
<blockquote>
The woman suffered greatly during childbirth. She would experience more pain upon giving birth until she confessed to having cheated.
Vakuru vaikanda zviyo mumoto zvikaputika vaibva vaziva kuti anemumwe murume waakafambidzana naye. (Our elders would throw grain into the fire, and if it popped, they would know that someone was involved with another man’s wife).
The cheating wife would confess. Protection of children during that time was always the priority.
</blockquote>
The rising demand for DNA testing in Zimbabwe is largely due to paternity disputes. Many men seek DNA tests to establish paternity, particularly in situations where they suspect infidelity from their wives or girlfriends and consequently question the biological parentage of their children.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Chief Mangwende is worried about kids getting hurt emotionally from DNA tests. Kids can be abused during the process. In the old days, African culture protected all children, even from secret relationships. The chief said nature would punish women who cheated on their husbands. Nowadays, many people in Zimbabwe want DNA tests to know if they are the real parents. This causes a lot of fighting and worry. Chief Mangwende wants to make sure children are safe and protected in these situations.

Chief Mangwende Warns Of Emotional Toll Of DNA Tests On Children

A man from Murehwa reportedly killed his mother and his uncle last week as he was accusing them of witchcraft, NewsDay reports.
ZRP is looking for 35-year-old Denford Nyamande of Marumisa village under Chief Mangwende who disappeared after he fatally axed his mother Angella Bhunu and her brother Felix Taonana Chiodza.
According to the publication, this is what transpired on the day Bhunu and Chiodza lost their lives:
<ul>
<li>The suspect and his brother had at some point argued with the deceased accusing them of practising witchcraft.</li>
<li>On 22 March Bhunu’s daughter in law Evermore Nechiridza went to her house to give her supper only to discover her lying in a pool of blood dead in her home covered by a blanket</li>
<li>She then informed someone of the deceased’s passing and told them to go and inform Bhunu’s other relative of her passing.</li>
<li>Later that day, she went to Chiodza’s house to talk to him about Bhunu’s death, only to discover his lifeless body lying on the floor.</li>
<li>Nechiridza informed other relatives who in turn reported the issue to the police.</li>
</ul>
The incident was confirmed by Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza who said:
<blockquote>Police in Murewa are looking for a man who is suspected to be behind the double murder of his mother and uncle over allegations of practising witchcraft.
The deceased were brother and sister and were staying at different homesteads in different villages while the suspect is Bhunu’s son.</blockquote>
Last week, in Mutoko, an <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/03/22/88-year-old-granny-kills-99-year-old-husband-in-a-fit-of-rage/">88-year-old grandmother killed her husband</a> after he refused to help her with some chores.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/03/man-kills-mother-89-uncle-87-over-witchcraft/">NewsDay</a>

Murehwa Man Kills His Mother And Uncle Over Witchcraft

The remains of the slain 7-year-old Murehwa boy Tapiwa Makore will be buried later this month according to a family member, Newsday reports. Speaking about Tapiwa Makore’s burial, his father Munyaradzi Makore told the publication that he will be buried on 27 March 2021.
Said Munyaradzi Makore:
<blockquote>We are going to bury our son on March 27. We are yet to find the missing head, but as a family, we agreed to proceed with the burial.</blockquote>
The burial had been halted due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the government to curb spreading COVID-19 but now restrictions have been relaxed and the family has decided to proceed with the burial. A local traditional leader Chief Mangwenden will reportedly preside over the burial.
Meanwhile, 2 of Tapiwa Makore’s uncles (Thanks and Tapiwa) and his name sake’s domestic worker were arrested over the issue and they are to stand trial over the brutal murder of the minor.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/03/tapiwa-makore-burial-date-set/">Newsday</a>

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