Man ordered to pay US$3000 damages for tricking wife into paying her bride price
The court has ordered a man from Chigodora in Zimbabwe to pay US$3000 in damages after he deceived his wife into paying her own bride price.
It was established in court that the man, identified as Kenny Mlambo, tricked his wife Jennifer Maparanyanga into paying her own bride price after he asked her to loan him US$300.
Jennifer, who has filed for divorce from Kenny, tearfully recounted how her life turned into a nightmare when she sought the return of the money she had loaned him.
Accompanied by her father, Phineas Maparanyanga, Jennifer revealed the harrowing ordeal she faced. She recalled how, out of her love for Mlambo, she had agreed to lend him the lobola money. She claims that he told her that he only had US$600, so she agreed to loan him to supplement his funds. According to her, he promised to pay back the money the following month but failed to do so.
Jennifer revealed that Mlambo’s demeanor drastically changed after she requested the repayment of the money. She lamented her husband’s abusive behavior and neglect after he finally paid her back, claiming he denied her conjugal rights and ceased providing for the family, insisting she use the $300 instead.
Her father expressed dismay upon discovering that his daughter had inadvertently paid her own lobola. He accused Mlambo of deceit and demanded reparations for the deception.
In a compelling ruling, Headman Chigodora condemned Mlambo’s actions as an abomination, demanding restitution. Mlambo was ordered to pay damages of US$3,000 to the Maparanyanga family for the deception and disrespect exhibited during the lobola process.
