Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
IT was fists before family at a Cowdray Park snooker table when four hot-headed in-laws teamed up to teach their son-in-law a painful “lesson” for taking too long to pay lobola!
What started as a casual game turned into a mini–boxing match after the four men — Silence Maboda (23), Motion Maboda (20), Gerald Mupatsi (23) and Pardon Manzvidza (20) — ganged up on Cosmas Utete (27), accusing him of dragging his feet on bride price payments.
The quartet, all from Cowdray Park, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube, who found them guilty of assault and fined them US$150 each, payable by December 5. Failure to pay will earn each of them a three-month holiday behind bars.
Prosecutor Ms Cathrine Kuzu told the court that the drama exploded on October 19 near the Cowdray Park signpost where the group had gathered to play snooker.
As the balls clacked, tempers flared when the in-laws started grilling Cosmas about why he was taking so long to formalise his union.
“Why are you delaying to pay lobola for our sister?” one of them reportedly shouted, as the others closed in.
The verbal jabs quickly turned physical. The furious foursome allegedly pounced on the hapless man, slapping, punching and dragging him to the ground in full view of stunned onlookers.
By the time peace was restored, poor Cosmas had a blue eye and bruised pride. He was later referred to a local hospital for treatment and promptly reported the matter to police. The four were arrested and hauled to court, where the magistrate reminded them that “lobola matters belong to family negotiations, not street fights.”
The case has sparked laughter and debate across Cowdray Park, with some residents joking that Cosmas should pay “instalments before another round of love-and-war erupts.”
derick.khumalo