Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A MUTARE man allegedly ended his marriage in dramatic fashion by driving his wife to her parents’ home in Makoni in the dead of night, offloading her belongings and speeding away before her relatives could even come outside.
The allegations surfaced at Chief Makoni’s community court, where Antony Bvunzawabaya sought an order compelling his brother-in-law, Andrew Mabwearongwa, to settle outstanding bride price obligations owed to the family.
Mabwearongwa failed to attend the hearing despite having been formally summoned by the court.
Bvunzawabaya said his sister, Siphelile Mabwearongwa, was abruptly returned to her family after years of marriage, while substantial bride price arrears remained unpaid.
“I am claiming bride price arrears from Mabwearongwa. He has not fulfilled what was agreed when he married my sister. He still owes five head of cattle, US$1 500 for rusambo and clothes for his in-laws.
“He was summoned to appear before this court last week and requested a postponement, but today he did not come. He brought my sister to my homestead during the night accompanied by his father, the go-between and other relatives. They dumped her and sped off without speaking to us. My sister has a child and I do not know what to do next,” said Bvunzawabaya.
Siphelile painted a picture of a troubled marriage, claiming her husband neglected her, and openly maintained a romantic relationship with another woman.
She said Mabwearongwa rarely spent time at the matrimonial home, and when he did, he chose to sleep in the kitchen instead of sharing a bedroom with her.
“Our marriage had serious problems. Mabwearongwa had a girlfriend where he was staying. He no longer slept in our bedroom, and would spend the few nights he came home sleeping in the kitchen,” she said.
Siphelile said her attempts to seek help from her husband’s relatives yielded no support.
“I approached his aunts hoping they would intervene, but instead they told me not to worry about the affair. They advised me to pack my belongings and leave the marriage,” she said.
She said events took a dramatic turn when a delegation of nine family members arrived at her home to formally remove her from the marriage.
“A group of nine people, including his father, aunts and nephews, came and instructed me to pack my belongings. They drove me to Rusape during the night, and we arrived at my parents’ home around midnight.”
Siphelile said she was instructed to alert her family to the visitors’ arrival while the delegation quietly unloaded her possessions.
“As I was knocking on doors to wake up my relatives, they were offloading my belongings from the vehicle. Before my family could come out and speak to them, they had already driven away,” she said.
The mother of one also raised concerns about property accumulated during the marriage.
“We acquired a residential stand in Tsanzaguru and developed it with a three-roomed cottage. I want that property because we have a son together. I also left some of my belongings in Mutare, and do not know what to do next,” she said.
After hearing submissions, Chief Makoni ruled in favour of the complainants and ordered Mabwearongwa to pay US$1 000, five head of cattle and clothes for his in-laws as outstanding bride price obligations.
The traditional leader further advised Siphelile to pursue a separate application regarding the division of matrimonial property, while issues relating to child maintenance were referred to the magistrates’ court.
In addition, Mabwearongwa was ordered to pay US$260 in court costs and fined three goats by the traditional court.
