Ever thought a polygamous man would add one more wife by marrying his daughter?
Such is the strange development that has left Bikita villagers dumbfounded in Chief Marozva’s area in Masvingo. A 77-year-old man decided to play the chicken-style and ‘ate’ his own eggs.
Sekuru Munyarari Mandinyenya (77) of village 3 in Rusununguko Resettlement area, who is a member of Johane Marange married Fadzai Chitende Mukuze (28) who is said to be his young brother’s daughter. Fadzai’s father is Tomboona Chitende Mukuze and is said to be Sekuru Munyarari’s young brother.
The stronger than fiction development has become the top story in Bikita amid reports that villagers are castigating Sekuru Munyarari’s antics. The old man reportedly married Fadzai in February this year thereby making her his FOURTH WIFE! Sources say Fadzai got impregnated by his father’s brother and was forced to elope with him.
When reached for comment, Sekuru Munyarari did not waste time denying the claims, he simply CONFIRMED that he is indeed now married to Fadzai.
“Its true I got married to Fadzai. I just haven’t paid lobola. I’m contemplating on paying the bride price later on. I love her so much and she too dearly loves me. It’s true that Fadzai is my young brother’s daughter, but not my blood brother,” boasted the 77-year-old husband of four.
Explaining his relationship to his brother, Sekuru Munyarari said: “We share the same totem. I come from Gutu and he comes from Bikita. We met here during the time that we were searching for land. I’m of the Soko-Mukanya of Murehwa totem and to us what I did is fine. People of the same totem can marry and sire children freely,” he claimed.
Interestingly, reports say Fadzai was previously married twice, and Munyarari RECEIVED LOBOLA from the two ‘son-in-laws’, before they both died. Sekuru Munyarari also confirmed these claims.
“It’s true. All men who marred Fadzai would first come to my homestead and pay their bride price to me. I would assume the fatherly role during the traditional marriage ceremony. Ndini ndaitopihwa mari yehubaba, then remit some of it to Fadzai’s father, who is now my father-in-law,” narrated Sekuru Munyarari.
Munyarari, prior to adding Fadzai to his ‘fleet’ of wives, was proudly married to Angelica Nhengo (first wife), Josphine Mukoki (second wife) and Future Muchemandadya (third wife). He, however, revealed that the case was once reported to Bikita police and he was picked for investigations.
“Police once picked me up for questioning and I explained to them what I have just narrated to you and they released me,” he said.
“There are some jealous people who wanted to kill my wife (Fadzai) and I. Some people once burnt our bedroom hut at around 2am. I’m glad I woke up before it was too late. We have also found thorny shrubs thrown into our bedroom hut on several occasions,” he added.
Fadzai also confirmed being married to Sekuru Munyarari who happens to be 49 years older than her. She acknowledged that she grew up treating Munyarari as her father.
“It’s true people say my husband and my father are brothers. It’s only that they share the same Soko totem. I don’t see anything wrong with getting Married to him. Munyarari’s other wives whom I used to see as my mothers should not be baffled either. Handiti rudo runongomera pese pese,” she said.
Sekuru Munyarari’s third wife, blasted her husband’s move.
“If he pays the bride price we also want to have a share of the money because we have always treated Fadzai as our daughter. Fadzai’s father and Munyarari are related. Why would he give bride price to someone he is not related to? This issue should be brought before the Chief. As Munyarari’s wives, we agreed never to accept Fadzai as one of us,” said Future Muchemandadya.