News / Africa
Man dumped for short penis gets lobola back
15 Sep 2015 at 07:40hrs | Views
A jilted lover who recently demanded a lobola refund from his former fiancé left Matsiloje customary court a delighted man after the court ruled in his favour.
About a month ago, Monei Lesetedi, 47, made Voice headlines when he demanded his lobola cash back following his fiancé's decision to end the affair citing "a short penis" as the reason for the break up.
Last week Lesetedi, a school head in Bobonong, could not hide his joy when Tati siding Kgosi Simon Nkgageng ordered Nozipho Tenela (32) to pay back P19, 500 to her former lover in a historic judgement that has set a precedent for similar cases.
Although Lesetedi hoped to be repaid every dime of the P26, 500 he paid as dowry plus the money he had coughed up in preparation for the cancelled wedding, which added up to P58, 000, he was still happy with the court's decision.
" I am proud and happy that at long last I got my dues. The judgment was fair. It is also an eye opener to other Batswana men in similar situations to stand up and fight for their right to justice", said an elated Lesetedi.
"I consider myself brave, a hero actually, to have made the decision to break societal norms and traditions which are generally sugar coated with injustice. Such unfair practices continue to be labeled as culture stating that lobola is non-refundable."
He said he was saddened by some elderly men who flocked the kgotla to defend the traditional position that lobola is non refundable.
"Such people are catalysts in perpetrating passion killings, which are undesirable in our society. Our culture should be dynamic, move with the times. If lobola was not refundable 100 years ago, that doesn't mean the status quo should be maintained. Let us not be overtaken by events. We should move with the times."
"Culture should not be used at the expense of human rights."
Meanwhile, the customary court's judgment left Nozipho visibly shaken together with her highly charged uncles.
"I am already in debt and cannot manage to pay back the money in six months", objected Nozipho.
In court the nursing graduate said she grew cold feet because her husband to be was abusive and unfaithful during their courtship.
The court however dismissed her reasons after she failed to substantiate her allegations.
Tenela's family also expressed their disgust and asked the presiding Kgosi to restrain Lesetedi from rushing to the newspapers to publish this matter and tarnishing the family name.
About a month ago, Monei Lesetedi, 47, made Voice headlines when he demanded his lobola cash back following his fiancé's decision to end the affair citing "a short penis" as the reason for the break up.
Last week Lesetedi, a school head in Bobonong, could not hide his joy when Tati siding Kgosi Simon Nkgageng ordered Nozipho Tenela (32) to pay back P19, 500 to her former lover in a historic judgement that has set a precedent for similar cases.
Although Lesetedi hoped to be repaid every dime of the P26, 500 he paid as dowry plus the money he had coughed up in preparation for the cancelled wedding, which added up to P58, 000, he was still happy with the court's decision.
" I am proud and happy that at long last I got my dues. The judgment was fair. It is also an eye opener to other Batswana men in similar situations to stand up and fight for their right to justice", said an elated Lesetedi.
"I consider myself brave, a hero actually, to have made the decision to break societal norms and traditions which are generally sugar coated with injustice. Such unfair practices continue to be labeled as culture stating that lobola is non-refundable."
He said he was saddened by some elderly men who flocked the kgotla to defend the traditional position that lobola is non refundable.
"Culture should not be used at the expense of human rights."
Meanwhile, the customary court's judgment left Nozipho visibly shaken together with her highly charged uncles.
"I am already in debt and cannot manage to pay back the money in six months", objected Nozipho.
In court the nursing graduate said she grew cold feet because her husband to be was abusive and unfaithful during their courtship.
The court however dismissed her reasons after she failed to substantiate her allegations.
Tenela's family also expressed their disgust and asked the presiding Kgosi to restrain Lesetedi from rushing to the newspapers to publish this matter and tarnishing the family name.
Source - The Voice
