Mother-in-Law Burns Son-in-Law with Hot Oil

A Harare man is battling for his life after he was allegedly doused with boiling cooking oil by his mother-in-law during a heated domestic confrontation in Tafara.

The woman reportedly accused him of mistreating her daughter, leading to the altercation.

The violent encounter occurred around 1am last Friday after the man went to his in-laws’ home in an attempt to reconcile with his wife, who had earlier left their matrimonial house following claims of physical and emotional abuse.

According to witnesses, the man persistently knocked on the door before being allowed into the house. Moments later, his mother-in-law, identified as Winnie Gurai Chipengo, is said to have confronted him over the allegations and, in a fit of rage, poured boiling oil on his face.

He sustained severe facial burns and was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

Chipengo has since appeared before Harare magistrate Weston Nyamwanza, facing charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. She was released on US$300 bail and will return to court on November 17.

Reports indicate that tensions within the family had escalated after the wife fled her home to seek refuge with her parents.

In a separate case handled by the same court, four brothers from Mabvuku—Peter, Darlington, Hector, and Philemon Chiremba—were brought before the magistrate on charges of assaulting their stepmother following a disagreement over electricity in her bedroom.

The prosecution alleged that the four attacked the woman, dragging her outside before assaulting her with stones, planks, and their fists. She sustained multiple injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

All four accused were granted US$300 bail each and are expected back in court on November 17.