In African traditional culture, especially in Southern
Africa, if a woman dies, another woman from the same family where the
woman came from can be offered to the deceased's husband as the heir
(sarapavana, chimutsamapfihwa or mugari wenhaka).
If it's a man who dies, his young brother becomes the heir in the succession of his late brother's estate (including the wife). However, as modernisation is becoming more predominant and with various sexually transmitted diseases being on the rise, this tradition has been abandoned by many people.
However, the succession
issue left members of the Masanga village dumbfounded when a
mother-in-law who is a widow and her son-in-law who is a widower became a
'thing' and drover each other crazy like primary school's puppy love.
The spine-chilling development allegedly took place
in Zimbabwe where Irene Mazhindu (58) and her son-in-law cum-husband,
Chamunorwa Zuze (38), reportedly stole each other's hearts and 'fell'
head-first in love. Their 'unacceptable' relationship is said to have
been brought to the Chief's attention by the woman's son.
Zuze
was once married to Irene's daughter, Abigail Goremusandu, who died
nearly 7 years ago. Abigail's father, who was Zuze's father-in-law, died
while Abigail was still alive. Zuze had three children with his wife.
Since
the mother-in-law and son-in-law had supposedly both become 'free
agents', the two are said to have started living as husband and wife.
The matter was brought before village chief, and the two lovebirds were
fined four beasts.
"This issue was brought before our court. The
son-in-law Chamunorwa and his mother-in-law Irene were both present.
Irene's son, Raphael, is the one who reported the matter to the chief.
Raphael revealed that he caught his mother and the son-in-law sleeping
together three times at different places," said Mrs Chivhima.
The
son-in-law is said to have owned up and confirmed that he was caught
leaving his mother-in-law's bedroom. However he argued that he was only
relaxing and resting in his mother-in-law's presence.
"The court
found out that the son-in-law and mother-in-law enjoy each other's
company in the absence of everyone else up to 1am. They were found
guilty and were fined two beasts each," said Mrs Chivhima.
Irene's son, Raphael Mazhindu, confirmed that he caught his mother and his late sister's husband red-handed.
"There is no reason for me to hate my mother.
The truth is that she is in love with Zuze, her son-in-law. Can I refer
to our son-in-law as 'father'? I caught them red-handed three times.
The other time I even drank poison so that I could take my own life.
Even when my father died, he knew my mother was in love with Zuze the son-in-law but he just failed to catch them red-handed," said Raphael.
When
Our news crew reached Irene for a comment, she said: "My son Raphel
'manufactured' this story because he hates me. He doesn't want me to
look after my son-in-law's children. He is lying that he caught me
having séx with my son-in-law. His mind has been disturbed by mbanje
which he always smokes."
The seemingly controversial son-in-law also denied the claims.
"Yes the court found us guilty but we know nothing. I am in good books with my mother-in-law but we are not in love. I cannot pay the fine since I do not own any cattle except goats," he said.
Despite
their denials, Headman Owen Musarurwa (41), said the son-in-law and his
mother-in-law both confirmed being in love when he questioned them over
the matter.
"We have heard this story since long back when
Irene's husband was still alive. Chamunorwa was still living with his
wife then. We didn't have evidence over their affair until they were
caught red-handed by Irene's son while they were sleeping together in
the bedroom," said Headman Musarurwa.
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