adminThe deceased woman’s family is demanding 10 cattle from her boyfriend’s family before they bury their daughter.
The mediator in the wrangle, Ward 11 Councillor Witness Sebata yesterday said Christine Ndlovu’s family had indicated to him that they were abandoning the funeral wake as the family of her boyfriend, Thamsanqa Ndlovu had failed to meet their demands.
“On Sunday, I spoke to the deceased’s family and they told me that they were now abandoning the funeral wake and returning to their homes. The parents have vowed not to bury their daughter until their demands have been met,” he said.
Some of the family members were said to have come from as far as Mberengwa where it is believed Christine’s family comes from.
Clr Sebata said even some of Thamsanqa Ndlovu’s family who had come for the funeral wake had also returned to their homes.
“Thamsanqa Ndlovu has gone back to Ntalale while his grandfather who was leading the family’s delegation has also gone back to Bulawayo,” he said.
Clr Sebata said Thamsanqa had gone to Ntalale to raise money equivalent to 10 herd of cattle.
The family spokesperson, Mr Million Sibanda, confirmed that he had left Gwanda for Bulawayo.
A member of Christine’s family refused to comment on the issue stating that she was busy at work.
“Yesterday I told you to stop calling me because I cannot comment and you are disturbing me because right now I am at work,” she said before hanging up the phone.
The couple’s four-month old baby is being taken care of at Gwanda Provincial Hospital.
Clr Sebata said both families had not been visiting the baby ever since the mother passed on.
“We are appealing to the community to assist in cash or kind so that we can help in taking care of the baby. The baby needs milk and clothing and its family has not been providing all that ever since its mother passed on,” said Clr Sebata.
Christine’s family lives at Colleen Bawn .
It is more than a week since Christine passed on at Gwanda Provincial Hospital after a short illness and her body is still at the mortuary as the two families haggle over her burial.
Christine (21) and Thamsanqa (23) of Gobadema area had been cohabiting for two years without the knowledge of her parents.
Thamsanqa’s family had earlier indicated that they would not be able to pay the 10 cattle or $5 000 in cash.
The family only managed to pay the $40 isivulamlomo to speak to their in-laws about the matter.
Online Reporter