adminMidlands Correspondent
A Gokwe North man is living a nightmare after his in-laws allegedly buried his wife right in front of his bedroom hut in protest over outstanding lobola.
The man, Mr John Majaya has approached the police seeking the exhumation of the body.
Mr Majaya said he decided to seek police intervention after the local traditional leadership failed to resolve the dispute between him and his in-laws.
The incident, which has left tongues wagging occurred last week in Gokwe North’s Chitekete Village under Chief Nenyunga. In an interview yesterday, Mr Majaya said he has suffered “emotional stress” after his in-laws decided to bury his wife, Babra Zimuto near the entrance of his bedroom hut in protest over unpaid lobola.
“We had a misunderstanding with my in-laws who are from Rusape last week following the unfortunate passing away of my wife.
I was yet to clear my lobola (balance) and the in-laws who had travelled all the way from Rusape demanded their outstanding lobola before the burial,” said Mr Majaya.
He said his in-laws then dug a grave at the entrance of his bedroom hut and buried their daughter.
“I have tried to engage the local traditional leader who has also failed to find a solution to the matter,” said Mr Majaya.
Chief Nenyunga confirmed the incident. He said he advised Mr Majaya to approach the police for help.
“I tried to engage Mr Majaya’s in-laws so that we exhume the body but they refused to listen. They have since returned to their rural home in Rusape and I have advised Mr Majaya to report the matter to the police,” said the traditional leader.
Chief Nenyunga said the move by Mr Majaya’s in-laws to bury their relative at the entrance of what used to be her bedroom hut was taboo in African culture.
“I have never witnessed such an experience in my area. Traditionally, it’s a taboo to bury a person in front of a house or room which used to be her bedroom,” he said.
Police spokesperson for Midlands province Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said he was still to receive a report of the matter.
Online Reporter