Man in court for refusing to pay lobola

A Harare woman yesterday brought her live-in boyfriend to court so that he could be ordered to marry her after unsuccessful attempts to get him to pay the bride price.

Pretty Mabwe filed a protection order application against Livingston Muyambi for being reluctant to take their relationship to the next level. "I want him to pay lobola for me because each time I bring this issue up he becomes violent towards me," she said.

Magistrate Ms Olivia Mariga told Mabwe that the court could not order someone to pay the bride price as it only dealt with domestic abuse issues.

"Since you said it is not possible to force him to marry me, then I would want him to stop insulting and assaulting me," she said.

"He also comes to my workplace to disturb my peace."

Responding to whether or not he had a problem with the granting of the protection order, Muyambi told the court that it was not possible for the court to intervene in his affairs.

"We just had a simple misunderstanding, but I don't think that warrants the granting of a protection order," he said.
"I am looking for money to marry her and I don't think I will assault her again."

Magistrate Ms Olivia Mariga ordered Muyambi to observe Mabwe's peace and advised him to look for the bride price peacefully.