adminFreedom Mupanedemo Midlands Correspondent
A villager from Shurugwi is suing his local traditional leader, Headman Mandigo, for $600 after he refused to attend a traditional ceremony.In his claim, the villager, Fani Mapfumo, 69, said the amount covers expenses he incurred when his family was preparing for the ceremony hoping the headman would attend.
Mapfumo said he approached Headman Mandigo, who is related to him and advised him of the traditional ceremony in honour of another deceased relative. Headman Mandigo, according to Mapfumo, was supposed to officiate at the ceremony.
Mapfumo said Headman Mandigo initially agreed to officiate at the ceremony and gave the family the green light to start preparations.
“After we agreed that Headman Mandigo would be officiating during the traditional ceremony, which was supposed to be conducted on September, 14, 2013 in memory of our deceased relative, Brighton Mandigo, Headman Mandigo later backtracked and snubbed the ceremony,” read part of the founding affidavit by Mapfumo.
Mapfumo said the ceremony could not proceed after the family had spend $600 in preparations.
“We incurred costs of $600 buying groceries, blankets, Airtime and some clothes which we were to use at the ceremony. The headman should pay all the expenses which we incurred after he suddenly made a U-turn and said he could not be part of the ceremony as it violets his church beliefs, “ claimed Mapfumo.
Headman Mandigo confirmed having ‘snubbed’ the said traditional ceremony arguing that he was a devout member of an apostolic church sect whose beliefs does not allow him to attend such ceremonies.
He said he was not in a position to pay Mapfumo’s claims saying the traditional ceremony should have proceeded in his absence.
“They were supposed to have proceeded with the traditional ceremony. I don’t have money to pay what he (Mapfumo) is claiming,” he said.
Online Reporter