Family of 'vat en sit' deceased makes list of demands

THE family of Simosenkosi Sibanda (27), who was recently allegedly murdered by Dingani Sibanda, her live-in boyfriend in Bulawayo's Cowdray Park suburb, is demanding lobola upfront before burial.

Dingani indiscriminately assaulted Simosenkosi before he fled the scene, leaving the woman's seven-month-old baby screaming next to her lifeless body.

The suspect was arrested on Saturday, a day after committing the grisly murder. He was nabbed while waiting at a hiking spot near Mac's Garage to board a lift to South Africa.

The deceased's family wants Dingani to pay US$100 to initiate talks, either a cow or US$300 as ukangaziwe and four beasts for lobola.

Money – Image taken from Pixabay

In a note addressed to Dingani's family in response to an emissary sent to Simosenkosi's family to inform them of the tragic news, the latter demanded that Dingani's family also handle all funeral costs and arrangements.

"Njengoba uSimosenkosi ubengu malukazana wenu ngaphandle kwemvumo yethu sicela lisithwalele umngcwabo. Ubekwa ekhaya eLupane (Since Simosenkosi was your daughter-in-law without our knowledge please carry out her funeral. She will be buried at her rural home in Lupane)…" read part of the note.

Dingani's sister, Mrs Xolani Nyathi said the issue was heart-wrenching and draining them emotionally.

 "We received a letter from Simosenkosi's family last week after our father tasked some of our relatives to relay the news of the incident. So far, my father has managed to raise US$400 towards their demands," she said.

"Our biggest challenge now is taking care of the baby whose biological father's whereabouts are not known and this is now a burden to us."

Mrs Nyathi alleged that Simosenkosi's family refused to take responsibility for their daughter's child.

"We engaged the police to guide us on this matter and they advised us to conform to Simosenkosi's family demands. My father is racing against time before the body decomposes yet we are a poor family," she said.

"We cannot do anything until we raise enough money to initiate negotiations. For now, that is where things stand."

Mrs Nyathi described Dingani as a violent person who is also an alcoholic.

"He is generally violent and the fact that he drinks alcohol has also worsened the situation. He used to work as a tout before he became an artisanal miner operating either in Esigodini or Matobo," she said.

Dingani's father, Mr Phineas Sibanda said his son and the deceased were cohabiting.

"They (Dingani and Simosenkosi) were just cohabiting and on that particular night, I had just arrived home from work when I was greeted by some noise and screaming emanating from the kitchen, which the two used as a bedroom," he said.

"I overheard my son questioning Simosenkosi why she was peering over the fence dividing our house and the neighbour's. Perhaps he thought she was interested in our neighbour's son."

Mr Sibanda said when he knocked on the door, Dingani refused to open.

"He refused to open and I told him that I was going to report him to the police hoping he would open the door, but my plea fell on deaf ears," he said.

Mr Sibanda said he then decided to report the matter to the police.

"When I returned I heard the child crying and I tried to open the door, but it was still locked. I decided to use the bathroom window, which has no burglar bars, to gain entry into the house," he said.

Upon entering the house, Mr Sibanda discovered Simosenkosi's body was lying on the floor in a pool of blood while her baby screamed uncontrollably and his son was nowhere to be seen.

Mr Sibanda said at the crack of dawn he awoke and alerted a neighbour, who in turn informed their residents' association, before reporting the matter to the police.

He said his son had domestic issues with his girlfriend which were worsened by drug and alcohol abuse.