Tendai Gukutikwa
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
TEMPERS flared at Chief Mutasa’s community court recently when a Dora man, James Masaka was publicly shamed for trying to defy tradition by demanding roora payment for his late half-sister, Shupikai Matambura.
The two shared a mother, but had different fathers, a critical distinction under customary law that ultimately determined the case.
Matambura was married into the Chidawanyika family, and the roora was rightfully paid to her paternal family, the Matambura family through her mother’s family, the Musoso clan.
However, Masaka was furious, claiming he was left out, and disrespected despite having grown up closely with his sister.
Speaking before the court, Masaka said he felt deeply betrayed and disregarded by both the Chidawanyika family and his late sister’s children, Allen and Joseph Chidawanyika.
“Even when my sister was still alive, her children never visited me. I tried to bridge the gap. I visited them, introduced them to their cousins, encouraged them to come and know their roots, but nothing materialised. I was ignored. Then, when her husband paid roora, nobody saw it fit to inform me. I do not even know where it was paid or who received it,” he said.
Masaka’s voice grew thick with emotions as he recounted how he only learnt about his sister’s death through gossip and hearsay.
“Can you imagine the pain of losing my sister; my only sibling and companion growing up, and not even getting the dignity of being officially told? I waited and waited, hoping someone would come with the message, but they buried her without notifying me. I only found out when I later visited them, asking to see her. That is when they coldly told me that she had died,” he said, his face a mask of grief and anger.
He said although he understood the role of the paternal family, he still believed that the bond of sharing the same mother was sacred and should have earned him recognition.
“Blood should be thicker than tradition. We were born and breastfed by the same woman. That bond is stronger than anything. Yet today, I am being treated like a nobody. I do not care what the old customs say, to be disregarded like that by my own blood is betrayal of the worst kind,” he said.
In response, Allen, Matambura’s son, tried to offer an olive branch.
He admitted that although they had not directly informed Masaka, the larger Musoso and Matambura families were present and involved in the funeral proceedings.
“It was never our intention to hurt him. When our mother died, the Musoso and Matambura families were informed. They attended, participated, and handled the proceedings. Maybe it was their duty to pass on the information to our uncle, Masaka, considering the circumstances. We are truly sorry if it caused him pain. It was never meant to be this way,” he said solemnly.
Belly Kamhunga, another relative who attended the funeral, supported Chidawanyika’s claims, saying that tradition was followed in spirit, if not entirely to the latter.
“Their mother was my aunt. When Shupikai got married, the paternal family handled the roora ceremony. They were there for all the formalities. During her funeral, it was the Musoso and Matambura families who stood in. Masaka was not intentionally excluded, it was just the way things happened according to the script we were following,” said Kamhunga.
Masaka, however, remained unconvinced, his pain evident.
“I understand protocol. I understand culture. But what about humanity? What about the love between siblings? I deserved better than to hear of my sister’s death through the grapevine. I deserved better than to be left empty-handed when her marriage was celebrated,” he said.
Presiding over the emotionally charged session, Chief Mutasa reminded the court on the importance of respecting tradition, even when emotions run high.
“In our culture, it is the paternal relatives who handle matters of marriage and death. While it would have been courteous and decent for your sister’s children to inform you directly, they were not obligated by tradition to do so. Nor were they required to share the roora proceeds with you,” he explained patiently.
However, in a move aimed at promoting healing within the divided family, Chief Mutasa advised the Chidawanyika children to apologise to their maternal uncle for not informing him of their mother’s passing.
“It would have been the right thing to do,” said Chief Mutasa, his voice firm, but kind.
“Courtesy and respect cost nothing. Let us not let customs rob us of compassion. Apologise to your uncle. Heal this rift while it is still possible,” he added.
Online Reporter