Sokwanele (Harare)
Beven Takunda
30 December 2011
opinion
The much talked about story of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s alleged marriage continues to be viewed differently by Zimbabweans from different walks of life.
When the Premier was called to a traditional court by a Mazowe Chief for flouting African traditional culture by paying lobola in the month of November, Tsvangirai refused to attend citing protocol irregularities and political interference.
But this did not stop Chief Negomo from proceeding with the case that tried and convicted the MDC-T leader.
One of my collegues described the Premier’s refusal to attend Chief Negomo’s court as arrogance.
“To me the fact still remains Prime minister broke the culture by paying lobola in November to the Karimatsenga family, a fact which he has failed to disprove, instead claiming he merely paid damages.
Chief Negomo convicted Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and fined him two cows and two sheep for violating a cultural taboo by paying bride price in a forbidden month.
The Karimatsenga family whom he paid the bride money to, attended the traditional court and was also fined two cows and two sheep.
A local beer drinker who resides in my local area vehemently defended Prime Minister saying the Chief was compromised. “How can a mere chief invite Prime Minister to a traditional court, where the trial is done under a tree? Who was he representing and who did he want to please? The Chief was acting outside his jurisdiction.
We also know the history of our chiefs that they are used by ZANU (PF) for political mileage, and now a chief invites Prime Minister to a traditional court, it is nonsense!”
Others said Chiefs are the custodians of the treasures of our culture and should not fold their hands when citizens, particularly those who occupy the highest office, perform activities that seriously disturb the integrity and dignity of chiefs and subjects.
AllAfrica – All the Time
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Zimbabwe: Tsvangirai in a Disgraced Mood