Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
IN a rare ruling, Chief Mutasa has ordered a father-in-law to refund the bride price paid for his daughter — with 10 percent annual interest — after she abandoned her marriage and moved in with her husband’s nephew.
The case was brought forward by Aleck Magadu, who sought compensation after his wife, Theresa Zimhuwu (31), left their marriage to cohabit with Hambai Muchakuya (38), Magadu’s neighbour and nephew.
Chief Mutasa ruled that Zimhuwu’s parents must repay the undisclosed bride price received from Magadu, with interest accruing until full payment is made by August 2026.
“The bride price is to be paid back with an annual interest because you wasted his time. He thought he had found his lifetime partner, but instead you cheated on him with his nephew, and went on to stay with him, abandoning your husband and four children,” said Chief Mutasa.
He said the order was meant to compensate Magadu after the marriage collapsed in the circumstances that shocked the court.
Appearing before Chief Mutasa last Saturday, Magadu said the affair had destroyed his family, leaving him to raise their four children after years of marriage.
“I never imagined that someone from my own family would stab me in the back in such a manner. Losing my wife was painful enough, but knowing she had gone to my nephew who stays next door to me, made the situation even harder to accept,” said Magadu, adding that his suspicions arose after he found romantic messages between his wife and Muchakuya on her mobile phone.
Magadu said when he confronted his nephew, Muchakuya dismissed the allegations, insisting he had merely been using Theresa’s phone to contact another married woman.
“I chose to believe his explanation because he was a family member. Looking back, I realised that was where everything started,” said Magadu, adding that the relationship allegedly continued despite repeated confrontations.
He claimed neighbours frequently saw the pair together when he was away, while Muchakuya allegedly became a regular visitor at his home.
“They denied everything each time I questioned them, yet people continued telling me they were openly spending time together behind my back,” said Magadu, further telling the court that matters worsened after his wife was admitted at hospital.
Doctors told him she had suffered a miscarriage.
However, he claimed some of her friends later told him she had deliberately terminated the pregnancy – fuelling suspicions that the child might not have been his.
“I was left with many unanswered questions because different people were giving different explanations,” he said.
Hoping to save the marriage, Magadu took his wife to Harare, where he was staying, but continued finding messages linking her to Muchakuya.
Magadu said Zimhuwu initially handed him a divorce token in the presence of her family, although one of her sisters allegedly grabbed it before the process was concluded.
He said the family asked that discussions should continue in May, but before that meeting, Zimhuwu allegedly left their matrimonial home in January, and moved in with Muchakuya.
“She did not wait for our families to conclude the matter. She simply left and started staying with him while I remained with our children,” said Magadu, adding that the community later reported the matter to the village head after alleging that Muchakuya had been involved in a similar incident with another neighbour’s wife.
Magadu said Headman Mandeya found Muchakuya liable, and ordered compensation of three cattle and three goats, which he claimed had not been paid by the agreed deadline.
Confirming the relationship, Zimhuwu admitted she had fallen in love with Muchakuya before ending her marriage, but denied leaving without reason.
She accused Magadu of physical abuse throughout the marriage, saying she could no longer endure it.
“I did not leave because of excitement or money. I left because I felt trapped in an abusive marriage. I was constantly assaulted and eventually decided I could no longer continue living like that,” she said, while admitting that the romantic relationship with Muchakuya began several months before she left.
“Our relationship started while I was still married. After the miscarriage, I made the decision to leave and begin a new life with him,” she said.
Muchakuya also admitted he was involved with Zimhuwu while she was married to his uncle.
“Yes, I had an affair with her before she left her husband. Whether the pregnancy she lost belonged to me or to my uncle, I honestly cannot say,” he said.
Chief Mutasa rebuked Muchakuya for pursuing a married woman, particularly his uncle’s wife.
He also advised Magadu to consider DNA tests for all the four children, saying the admitted affair raised questions only science can settle.
“The circumstances surrounding this case create uncertainty that should be resolved properly. Scientific testing is the best way to remove any future disputes regarding the children’s paternity,” said Chief Mutasa, further ordering Muchakuya to pay Magadu seven cattle before the end of September 2026 – one for knowingly engaging with a married woman, another for exposing Magadu to possible health risks through unprotected sex with his wife; four for taking another man’s wife while she was still married, and one for taking his uncle’s wife.
Muchakuya was also ordered to hand over seven cocks as part of the compensation.
