Gambling-Addicted Harare Man Terrorizes Parents

A gambling-addicted Harare man has been taken to court for terrorizing his parents and his siblings to get money for his addiction.

Ethan Abinal of Harare successfully petitioned the court for protection from his 40-year-old son Trust Abinal, whose severe betting addiction triggered repeated theft and verbal abuse.

According to Ethan, his son has not been giving the family peace in his bid to get money to fuel his expensive addiction.

Appearing before Harare Magistrate Meenal Narotam, Ethan revealed how Trust’s gambling habit destroyed family harmony.

“He borrows recklessly from loan sharks, then steals our possessions when he can’t repay,” the frustrated father testified.

The situation escalated when Trust allegedly confiscated his sibling’s sewing machine to settle debts.

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Gambling-Addicted man terrorizes his parents-Image Source@newsday

The elder Abinal described terrifying confrontations: “He threatens our lives when confronted about his actions.” The constant stress reportedly worsened Ethan and his wife’s pre-existing health conditions, prompting their plea for court intervention.

Son Accepts Court Decision

In a surprising turn, Trust offered no resistance to the protection order. “I’ll comply if my presence disturbs them,” he stated during proceedings. This admission underscored the severity of the family rift.

The court then granted the elderly man his protection order against his son. The son had made it so that his parents were scared of his violent outbursts.

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Magistrate’s Comprehensive Ruling

Magistrate Narotam issued a multi-part judgment:

Immediate prohibition against harassment or theft
Mandatory relocation from the parental home
Required attendance at addiction counseling

“At 40, you must build independent living while addressing this destructive habit,” Narotam admonished, emphasizing personal responsibility alongside treatment.

This case highlights Zimbabwe’s growing struggle with gambling addiction and its societal impacts. Legal experts suggest such interventions may become more frequent as financial stressors mount nationwide.