Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A MAKONI man, Richard Pasirai, has been penalised by a community court for allegedly entering his son-in-law’s bedroom, assisting his sister, Locadia to pack her belongings while her husband was away.
This act was deemed contrary to traditional values.
Brian Gango brought the case before Chief Makoni’s community court, accusing Pasirai of entering his bedroom, taking Locadia and his children away.
Gango also accused Tsuwai Kazembe of having an illicit affair with Locadia.
Despite being served with summons, Pasirai, Kazembe, and Locadia absconded the court hearing.
Gango recounted his ordeal, arguing that he had been experiencing marital problems with Locadia, with whom he sired three children with, due to her alleged promiscuous behaviour, which he claimed was facilitated by her sister.
He further alleged that his in-laws took Locadia away in his absence, despite their marriage still being valid, and ‘gave’ her away to Kazembe.
Gango also claimed that Locadia and Kazembe were abusing his 13-year-old son, who wants to be reunited with him.
“I had long suspected that my wife, Locadia, was involved in an extra marital affair, but I lacked evidence. Her frequent visits to her sister raised my suspicions.
I later discovered that she was seeing Tsuwai Kazembe, who is her sister’s neighbhour.
“Our matrimonial problems escalated, and I informed my in-laws, requesting their intervention. However, they refused to provide an aunt to mediate our issues.
“I was deeply hurt when Locadia denied me conjugal rights for a year, despite us staying together. My in-laws eventually engaged my parents to address our marital problems. Following their intervention, Locadia briefly changed her behaviour for the better. However, when I left for Penhalonga to work, she packed her belongings and left with our children.
“I discovered that her brother, Richard Pasirai, assisted her in collecting her belongings without my knowledge. I followed up with my in-laws, seeking the return of my family. One of Locadia’s brothers instructed me to leave their homestead immediately, and only take my children. Nevertheless, Locadia refused to release the children to me.
“I also learnt that Kazembe had given Locadia a piece of land while we were still together. It became clear that my in-laws were aware of Locadia’s affair with Kazembe, which is why they took her away from me,” explained Gango.
He further claimed that he saw Locadia at Kazembe’s homestead on numerous occasions.
Gango said his son wants to return to him, but Locadia is blocking him.
“Sometime later, I visited Kazembe’s homestead and found Locadia washing dishes, while Kazembe worked in the field. I witnessed them together on multiple occasions.
What troubled me most was that our 13-year-old son, who is uncomfortable staying with my in-laws, is being blocked from returning home by Locadia.
“My son attempted to pack his belongings and return to me, but Locadia locked him in a room and assaulted him. Kazembe also joined in. My son is present as a witness. When Kazembe received the summons to appear in court, he approached my father, begging me to withdraw the case and settle out of court,” he said.
Regarding Pasirai’s actions, Gango said; “Pasirai disrespected me by taking my wife and children in my absence. He entered my bedroom without my knowledge or consent, taking some of my clothes, fertilisers, and chemicals. The fertilisers and chemicals belonged to a company I was contracted by, and I had to involve the police to recover them.”
The court found Kazembe guilty of adultery, and Pasirai guilty of breaching tradition by entering Gango’s bedroom — describing it as a taboo act.
“Kazembe is guilty of adultery, and fined five beats and three goats for failing to appear before this court. Pasirai is also found guilty of entering Gango’s bedroom and fined two goats. We cannot allow Gango’s child to testify against either parent in such cases. The child should not take sides when parents are in conflict,” the court ruled.
