In a dramatic turn of events a man from Chigodora has been ordered to pay US$3000 in damages after he tricked his wife into paying her own lobola.
Kenny Mlambo reportedly tricked his wife Jennifer Maparanyanga into paying her own lobola after he asked her to loan him US$300 -and now he wants to divorce her.
Appearing before Headman Chigodora’s court, Jennifer tearfully recounted how her life transformed into a nightmare the moment she sought the return of the money she had loaned to Mlambo, Manica Post reveals. Accompanied by her father, Phineas Maparanyanga, Jennifer revealed the harrowing ordeal she faced.
Jennifer recalled how she had agreed to lend Mlambo the lobola money out of love for him. She claims that he told her that he only had US$600, so she agreed to loan him some money to add to the one he had.
“He told me that he wanted to marry me but only had US$600, which to him was very little and disrespectful to my father. I lent him US$300 to top up his money. He promised to pay back the money the following month, but failed to do so,” she recounted.
However, during the lobola ceremony, she was shocked when Mlambo only paid US$300, rather than the agreed-upon US$900. Mlambo claimed that he had used the remaining US$600 to purchase the clothes worn during the ceremony and alleged that his mother had confiscated the rest.
“He told me that he wanted to marry me but only had US$600, which to him was very little and disrespectful to my father. I lent him US$300 to top up his money. He promised to pay back the money the following month, but failed to do so,” she said.
Jennifer revealed that Mlambo’s demeanor drastically changed after requested the repayment of US$300. She lamented her husband’s abusive behavior and neglect after he finally paid her back, claiming he denied her conjugal rights and ceased providing for the family, insisting she use the $300 instead.
Her father expressed dismay upon discovering that his daughter had inadvertently paid her own lobola. He accused Mlambo of deceit and demanded reparations for the deception.
“She burst into tears, confessing that she had unknowingly paid her own lobola. I was hurt because Mlambo tricked my daughter. Up to now I am still hurt because he is staying with my daughter for ‘free’,” charged Maparanyanga.
In response, Mlambo counter-accused Jennifer of tarnishing his reputation regarding his alleged performance in bed, despite her pregnancy. Seeking a divorce, appealed to Headman Chigodora to persuade the Maparanyanga family to take back their daughter
However, in a compelling ruling, Headman Chigodora condemned Mlambo’s actions as an abomination, demanding restitution. Mlambo was ordered to pay damages of US$3,000 to the Maparanyanga family for the deception and disrespect exhibited during the lobola process.
“You did not pay any lobola to the Maparanyangas since it was their daughter’s money that you paid them during the lobola ceremony. What you did was very disrespectful to your in-laws and your wife. You are a trickster, and for that you need to work hard and pay the damages to them,” ruled Headman Chigodora.
Source:iHarare