Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A village head in Nyanga has been fined two cattle after being found guilty of adultery by Chief Saunyama’s community court for having a sexual relationship with a widow.
The widow still lives at her late husband’s homestead under the care of his relatives and, under customary practice, is regarded as remaining part of the family into which she was married.
Sabhuku Mazarura, who serves under Chief Saunyama, was convicted despite already having been fined two cattle by Headman Nyamutowera’s community court for the same offence.
The cattle were handed over to the Chikwiramakomo family, relatives of the widow at the centre of the case.
The matter was aggravated by allegations that Mazarura had refused to pay court fees at the initial hearing and had openly shown disrespect towards his superiors, including the headman and the chief.
The court heard that his conduct undermined traditional authority and the need to uphold customary rules and respect within the community.
In his testimony, Mazarura admitted that he had been in a relationship with the widow for five months before it was discovered.
The affair was exposed when a member of the Chikwiramakomo family caught them together. He also admitted that they had been meeting in the late husband’s bedroom. Said Mazarura:
“Yes, I was caught red-handed with this woman. The matter was reported to the headman’s court.
“The relationship had been going on for five months. The woman in question is a widow.
“At the headman’s court, Chikwiramakomo was demanding three beasts. I told the court that the fine was excessive, and they reduced it to two, and that was granted.
“I also compensated my wife with a beast for cheating on her.
“The headman further fined me for being intimate in the bush (mahwandauswa). I disputed that because we never used the bush, but the woman’s bedroom.
“Nevertheless, I paid the fine. The court also demanded court fees, but I declined to pay because the headman owes me some money, and I said he should deduct the fine from that.
“It is a fabrication that I insulted the headman and chief.”
Chief Saunyama ruled that the headman’s decision to fine Sabhuku Mazarura was in line with tradition and ordered him to pay two goats as court fees. He said:
“The woman, despite being a widow, is still a daughter-in-law where she is married.
“Sabhuku Mazarura committed adultery, and it is an embarrassment that a person holding such a position appears before this court as an accused person.
“You lose respect from the community you lead. You should lead by example and respect other people.
“Adultery is a serious case which can cause dangerous repercussions.
“You were caught red-handed with the woman, and you could have been struck by an axe.”
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