Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Herald Reporter
CULTURE and Heritage Ambassador, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, took her vibrant cultural preservation drive through the Dare engagement to Mashonaland Central Province, where people appreciated how cases are handled as they actively engaged.
A Dare was set up at Chief Negomo’s traditional court in Kakora Village, Chiweshe, which was so oversubscribed that others had to follow proceedings from an overflow tent.
During the court session, all women, including the First Lady, sat respectfully on reed mats while men took their seats and listened attentively.
Chief Negomo and Chief Nyamaropa presided over court sessions in full view of the public, who participated robustly on issues such as incest involving fathers-in-law pursuing or snatching their daughters-in-law, kuripa ngozi, child marriages, witchcraft, promiscuity and ritual practices.
Other cases brought before the traditional court included boundary and land disputes, especially in grazing areas, double allocations, and the snatching of each other’s spouses, among several others.
The candid discussions created space for reflection and correction, as traditional leaders tackled issues eroding the moral fabric of society while reviving the value of traditional systems in resolving such matters. Among the topical cases was one that involved a boundary dispute between village heads.
Village Head Ruvhudzi accused Village Head Chigwada of allocating land within his grazing territory to his aunt’s children from Murehwa.
Chief Negomo emphasised that it is unlawful to allocate or build on land reserved for grazing.
The programme, which examines family dynamics, is designed to promote the African family unit. In another matter, Elvis Chidhakwa was accused of snatching Tonderai Mutema’s wife.
The woman denied being married to Tonderai, saying their relationship ended in 2022 and that she was now in love with Elvis.
She accused Tonderai of being abusive and claimed he never checked on her after she left. She said she met Elvis, while running a business in Mazowe.
However, court attendees urged her to be content in life and to avoid being lured by riches. She was also advised that it was shameful for a woman with two children to continuously elope to other men.
Tonderai claimed to have paid lobola, with the wife acknowledging it, but the woman’s father denied receiving it, raising suspicions that he might have been duped.
Chief Negomo, however, taught that parents should be honest and avoid greed by not marrying off daughters without the other spouse’s knowledge.
He also advised people to follow proper roora channels, involving family members, especially the mother and father of the groom and a munyai (a mediator or spokesperson, often a male relative or respected family friend) who acts as a link between the two families.
Chief Negomo said there should also be a bride’s aunt (vatete), a crucial figure serving as the bride’s family spokesperson and a key negotiator.
Another case involved a daughter-in-law, Ms Mhembere, who came with her daughters, accusing Uncle Wilfrida Musengeza of conducting mining activities on land she claimed had been given to her by her late mother-in-law as compensation for caring for her while she was ill.
Chief Negomo advised that, as an in-law, she had no jurisdiction over the distribution of land belonging to her late husband’s family. He instead advised her to receive chiredzwa (token compensation) for her caregiving, not land.
There was also a case that left the court in stitches, where Moses Kuyeri was accused of snatching Gift Chimushamhu’s wife over groceries.
He admitted to proposing love via text message, saying the woman had asked for money to buy rice and cooking oil for her children. The woman also confirmed they were in love, although she denied demanding money.
Chimushamhu demanded three cattle as punishment, but the accused pleaded for leniency and was fined one cow by Chief Negomo.
First Lady Dr Mnangagwa, seated among community members, also presented her issues, inquiring on cases involving child marriages, kuripa ngozi and incestuous relationships between fathers-in-law and their daughters-in-law.
“There is a taboo that is worrying, incest involving fathers-in-law dating their daughters-in-law and even buying them undergarments,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa also inquired about child marriages, asking who initiates them, between father or mother, and also if the marriages are being blessed by relatives through a proper roora ceremony.
The Mother of the Nation also inquired about ritual practices for wealth and witchcraft accusations among relatives.
These issues drew strong reactions from the community. On incest, fathers-in-law were urged to be disciplined, as they are often the ones who initiate inappropriate behaviour.
“The problem sometimes lies with undisciplined fathers-in-law who lack respect for their daughters-in-law,” said Mr Abel Nyachuru.
“We also need well-mannered daughters-in-law who can stand their ground. Aunties and grandmothers should help instil cultural etiquette.”
Daughters-in-law were also advised to dress appropriately.
“In some cases, the problem is our daughters-in-law wearing mini skirts in front of their fathers-in-law varikuzvishambadza sematemba (exposing themselves like dried kapenta),” said Mrs Portia Nyachuru.
“Their conduct with in-laws matters. They should never greet in-laws with a handshake.”
Others blamed illicit brews and rituals as root causes of such behaviours.
Chief Nyamaropa likened a daughter-in-law to a chief, saying, “There should be no handshakes or hugs. In our traditions, a daughter-in-law should always wear a zambia in front of her father-in-law.”
The issue of kuripa ngozi (avenging spirits) also came up, where in the past, virgins were used to appease the spirits of the dead.
The community said appeasing ngozi using a person is archaic and illegal, saying instead, cattle should be used, and the rights of the girl child, including access to education, must be upheld.
One man even narrated a case where an avenging spirit demanded 11 cattle, including a tsiru (a cow that hasn’t calved).
He said after the offering, which was done, while he was still in Form 2, mysterious deaths in the family ceased.
Child marriages were also discussed. Chief Negomo said the practice remains rampant, especially in mining areas.
He has since launched the “Not in My Village” campaign to combat the scourge.
Community members noted that greed among some parents fuels child marriages.
“In some cases, we mothers play a major role due to love for money. We don’t report perpetrators, we are just silenced by cash,” said Mrs Agnes Muchenje.
Other community members urged village heads to intensify awareness campaigns to eliminate ignorance around child marriage.
Culture and Heritage Ambassador Dr Mnangagwa first initiated the historic cultural preservation initiative in Mashonaland East Province at Chief Chinhamora’s homestead.
Driven by the need to restore morality among citizens, the First Lady has been tapping into the country’s rich cultural heritage, which has built-in mechanisms to address challenges that affect people and mould them into responsible citizens.
