A VILLAGE head in Nyanga was recently found guilty of adultery by Chief Saunyama’s community court after engaging in a relationship with a widow who still resides at her late husband’s homestead under the care of his relatives.
Sabhuku Mazarura, who serves under Chief Saunyama, was convicted of the offence despite having already been fined two beasts by Headman Nyamutowera’s community court for the same transgression.The beasts were handed over to the Chikwiramakomo family, relatives of the widow at the centre of the scandal.
The case against Mazarura was compounded by accusations that he had refused to pay court fees during the initial hearing and had openly denigrated his superiors, including the headman and chief.
His conduct, the court heard, undermined traditional authority and highlighted the importance of upholding customary rules and respect for leadership within the community.In his testimony, Mazarura admitted to dating the widow for five months before the affair was exposed.
The relationship came to light when a member of the Chikwiramakomo family caught them red-handed. Shockingly, Mazarura revealed that the pair had been using the late Chikwiramakomo’s bedroom as their love nest.
“Yes, I was caught red-handed with this woman. The matter was reported to the headman’s court. The relationship had been going on for five months. The woman in question is a widow. At the headman’s court, Chikwiramakomo was demanding three beasts. I told the court that the fine was excessive and they reduced it to two, and that was granted. I also compensated my wife with a beast for cheating on her.The headman further fined me for being intimate in the bush (mahwandauswa). I disputed that because we never used the bush, but the woman’s bedroom. Nevertheless, I paid the fine. The court also demanded court fees, but I declined to pay because the headman owes me some money, and I said he should deduct the fine from that. It is fabrication that I insulted the headman and chief,” he said.
Chief Saunyama ruled that the headman’s decision to fine Sabhuku Mazarura was in accordance with tradition, and ordered him to pay two goats as court fees.The woman, despite being a widow, is still a daughter-in-law where she is married. Sabhuku Mazarura committed adultery, and it is an embarrassment that a person holding such a position appears before this court as an accused person.
“You lose respect from the community you lead. You should lead by example and respect other people.
“Adultery is a serious case which can cause dangerous repercussions. You were caught red-handed with the woman, and you could have been struck by an axe,” ruled Chief Saunyama.Best Sabhuku ....taking care of widows in the area .....Sabhuku Mazarura
