Online ReporterLondiwe Moyo
A 25-year-old woman from Gwanda has died at Mpilo Central Hospital after allegedly succumbing to injuries sustained during a violent attack linked to a suspected forced marriage dispute.
According to family sources, Nontokozo Khumalo was attacked together with her brother, Nkosilothando Khumalo, by a group of men allegedly linked to a family that claimed she was supposed to marry into their household under a traditional arrangement.
A family member, who requested anonymity, said the dispute stems from an old arrangement involving Nontokozo’s late elder sister, Nomantombi Khumalo, who had been married to Siboniso Sibanda before she died.
“Nomantombi was married to Siboniso Sibanda but unfortunately she passed away. After her death, the Sibanda family insisted that one of her younger sisters had to take her place as wife according to their traditional beliefs,” said the family member.
The source said the arrangement allegedly involved the late father of the Khumalo siblings, Sikhumbuzo Khumalo, whom the Sibanda family claimed had agreed to the arrangement before his death.
“Initially they wanted the younger sister, Faith Khumalo, to take over as wife but she ran away after the issue was raised. After that the matter went quiet for some time,” said the source.
The family member said tensions resurfaced recently after Nontokozo turned 26, with the Sibanda family allegedly demanding that she now assume the role previously rejected by her younger sister.
“The family became violent and came to the Khumalo homestead in Gwanda trying to forcibly take Nontokozo away. Fearing for their safety, she and her brother left for Bulawayo where they stayed with a friend,” said the source.
However, the alleged attackers reportedly tracked them to Bulawayo, leading to the assault that left Nontokozo critically injured.
“She was badly assaulted together with her brother. She was taken to Mpilo Hospital where she later died from the injuries,” said the family member.
The incident has left the family traumatised, with relatives calling for police to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring those responsible to justice.
Police had not yet issued an official statement on the matter by the time of publication.
