Siblings cut blood relationship, live as husband and wife

THE Nkulumane siblings who committed incest unknowingly have vowed to continue with their relationship and have squared the blame on their parents who made it a secret that they were relatives when growing up.

The two, Lucia Tshuma and her half brother cum-fiance, Lucky Tshuma perfomed a traditional ritual over the weekend at their father's house in Tshabalala to cut the blood relations.

A white goat was killed, cut in-between and burnt in a ritual that is believed to exorcise and appease the family spirits in the event that they are angered by their union.

Legally, it is an offence for one to marry a blood relative but traditionally, it can be corrected through a traditional custom and practice that the family believes in.

The duo's father, Mr Luckson Tshuma confirmed to B-Metro that a traditional ceremony was held over the weekend after his children said they will never live to phathom that they were a brother and a sister who once bedded each other because of their parents' negligence.

However, Tshuma was quick to point out that he was not happy that his children will live as husband and wife. "I think this thing will forever live to haunt me. How am I to live and sleep knowing that my children are consummating each other every night? I will blame myself for neglecting my own seeds. Maybe it is true that blood draws its own, that is why they were attracted to each other," he said.

Tshuma added that wide consultations were done within the family and at one time they travelled to his Jotsholo rural home to meet and discuss with elders.

"We tried to convince them that it was taboo what they intended to do but they all turned deaf ears and began having suicidal tendencies. We then feared that they might kill themselves and we had to bless their union even though we will not allow any payment of the bride price." Lucky said he was happy that 'his' father has finally given them the go ahead to marry.

"It will haunt me that Lucy is my sister but we fell for each other and we didn't know. Maybe that is how God wanted my father to pay for the sin of neglecting us. Now that I know we are the products of the same men, I think I will grow more to love her in our union. I am going to compensate for the love we should have given each other when growing up," he said.

Lucky and Lucy were born to the same father, Mr Tshuma who only managed to get them birth certificates. He never supported them and they all got to know about their father at a meeting when they intended to formalise their relationship and get married.

They all fainted and cried a situation that caught the attention of neighbours in a drama like scene.