UK-based groom duped

A Makoni family has been ordered by Chief Makoni's community court to reimburse their son-in-law, Don Kwiyo, for the bride price he paid nearly two decades ago after they failed to hand over their daughter for marriage. The case, which centered on a dispute over Tariro Bvekerwa, who was later married to another man, concluded that Kwiyo is entitled to a refund of the £7,000 (approximately US$10,000) he paid in 2006.

Kwiyo, based in the United Kingdom, took the matter to the traditional court after repeated attempts to recover his money proved unsuccessful. He explained that after paying the bride price, Tariro's family refused to release her, insisting that she join him in the UK- a move complicated by her lack of travel documents. Four months later, he discovered that she had already been married to another suitor, leaving him feeling cheated and financially devastated.

"I went for introductions, paid everything requested, and even sent money and clothes. I was planning a white wedding to complement the traditional marriage. Little did I know my gesture was meaningless to the Bvekerwa family," Kwiyo told the court. He further explained that repeated visits to recover the money only deepened his frustration, adding that he had never consummated the marriage.

The Bvekerwa family, represented in court by Tariro's brother Silas Bvekerwa, did not deny that Kwiyo had married Tariro but argued that they were not responsible for her eventual marriage to another man. They contended that the woman in question was actually named Tariro Magowa and claimed that Kwiyo had only followed up twice to demand repayment.

An uncle of the family produced a roora list showing that Kwiyo had paid ZW$69,500,000 in local currency after converting his pounds on the parallel market. Tariro's sister also claimed that Kwiyo had married another woman while leaving Tariro at home, forcing her to settle with a different husband in 2011.

After deliberations, Chief Makoni ruled in favor of Kwiyo, affirming that he had indeed married Tariro according to cultural protocols, but her family failed to hand her over and later accepted bride price from another man. The court calculated that the amount Kwiyo paid was now equivalent to nine beasts or US$3,150, and gave the Bvekerwa family three months to refund him. The ruling also clarified that Kwiyo could not claim interest, as the bride price was a cultural transaction, not a business one.

The Bvekerwa family accepted the judgment and issued an apology to Kwiyo, expressing relief that the matter was resolved while he was still alive, noting that unresolved disputes could invoke cultural beliefs about the "wrath of an avenging spirit."