In a devastating turn of events, a family from Zaka, Masvingo, has been thrust into turmoil following the de@th of a beloved wife and mother.
The woman, whose name remains undisclosed, was married and had three children, the youngest of whom is 17.
Her de@th marked the beginning of a series of tragic events that would culminate in unimaginable heartbreak.
The trouble began when the woman’s husband, adhering to the urgency of the situation, notified her family in Zaka about her passing over the phone.
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The in-laws were outraged by this method of communication, deeming it disrespectful and contrary to their customs.
They insisted on being informed in person, demanding, “Tinoda kusumwa,” which translates to, “We need to be informed in person.”
Despite the family’s grief, someone had to travel to Zaka to deliver the news in person. Only then did the in-laws agree to attend the funeral.
Upon their arrival, the situation quickly deteriorated.
They locked the door to the room where the deceased’s body lay, declaring that no one would enter until their demands were met.
The in-laws’ demands were as follows: two oxen to mark the grave (kutara guva), one cow as a penalty for being informed over the phone, two oxen for meat during the funeral, and one cow to remove the deceased from the room she was in (kubudisa mufi mumba).
In total, they demanded six beasts of cattle. Their demands caused an uproar and delayed the burial for two days, creating an atmosphere of anger and
frustration among mourners.
The husband’s sorrow deepened as he struggled to comprehend and meet the in-laws’ exorbitant demands.
According to X user @Darozvi, who reported the story, the in-laws’ behavior was nothing short of outrageous. They caused a scene at the funeral, insisting on their demands being met before any further proceedings could take place. The community was appalled by their conduct, but the family had no choice but to comply to proceed with the burial.
The situation escalated further when, after the funeral, the in-laws proceeded to take everything from the family’s home. They seized and divided among themselves all the household items, including televisions, sofas, beds, clothes, room dividers, blankets, pots, pans, and plates. This left the grieving children and their heartbroken father with nothing. The community was appalled by the in-laws’ behavior, at the damage was done. The devastated husband, already grappling with the loss of his wife and the brutal demands of the in-laws, found himself unable to cope. On July 10, 2024, just a week after the funeral, he tragically took his own life, unable to bear the overwhelming grief and despair.
The heart-wrenching events that unfolded in this family’s life have left a community in shock and mourning, highlighting the devastating consequences of rigid cultural demands and the urgent need for sensitivity in dealing with grief.
