Family camps at in-law’s house

A Makoni man who was demanding bride price from his sister’s former lover resorted to employing unorthodox means, including setting up camp at his in-laws’ homestead.

Chenjerai Chibharo’s family only left their in-law’s homestead after the Harare-based Innocent Sakala had paid some money.

This recently came out during a hearing at Chief Makoni’s community court as Chibharo was demanding three cattle, three goats and US$2 000 as bride price for his unidentified sister.

“I am here standing in for my father who is elderly and cannot attend the court hearing.

“Sakala stayed with my sister for a long time and they were blessed with two children.

“He has not paid anything towards her bride price.

“The two have since separated, but Sakala never approached us for marriage talks,” said Chibharo.

Sakala said he is not aware of his ex-lover’s whereabouts as she unceremoniously left his house.

“I have heard what my in-law is saying, but may this honourable court enquire from him where my former wife is.

“My wife left home claiming that she was going to settle some issues with her relatives. After some months, I made a follow up and she told me that she was already married to someone else.

“I advised her to come and collect her belongings from my house.

“Instead, her relatives who pitched up without notice.

“Surprisingly they refused to leave my homestead, demanding lobola from me. I was in Harare and instructed my relatives to give them US$100 and a goat.

“A month later, they visited my homestead again. This time they were demanding two cattle and they stayed put for some days.

“I later gave US$100 to their other brother at Glen Norah shops in Harare and they left my homestead.

“They came back after a few weeks and camped for four days until I handed their brother another US$150 at Mbudzi Roundabout in Harare.

“This time they refused to leave, demanding cattle, and I instructed my parents not to succumb to their further demands.

“I called the Chibharos and informed them to take up the matter with this court. They should also pay me for staying at my homestead, consuming my food,” said Sakala.

Chief Makoni chastised Chibharo’s way of claiming his sister’s bride price and labelled it extortion.

“Chibharo’s way of claiming his sister’s bride price is not part of our culture. This is extortion.

“You claim the bride price through a go-between or a community court. If Sakala had reported this issue to the police, you could have been arrested for extortion,” said Chief Makoni. However, the court ruled that Chibharo should receive US$850 and two goats.

“They came back after a few weeks and camped for four days until I handed their brother another US$150...”