Family Refuses To Bury Daughter Until Son-In-Law Paid Eight Cattle In Lobola Arrears

The body of a woman from Nyanga, Manicaland, allegedly remained in a mortuary for five days after her family refused to release it for burial until they received compensation equivalent to eight cattle from her husband.

The dispute came to light at Chief Mutasa’s community court last week, when Dennis Mandipedza applied for the customary distribution of his late wife’s belongings following her death in June.

Mandipedza told the court that his in-laws, the Mapani family, demanded US$2,000 before they would agree to collect the body from the mortuary.

“My wife died in June, and her body remained in the mortuary for five days because my in-laws refused to collect it,” he said.

“They demanded US$2 000, equivalent to eight cattle, saying they wanted compensation.

“I had already paid the bride price before we started staying together, so I could not understand why they wanted more money before her burial.”

According to Mandipedza, negotiations between the two families led to a payment of US$1,000, equivalent to four cattle under customary arrangements, which allowed the burial to proceed.

He said the body was initially taken to his homestead, where it lay in state overnight. The following morning, his in-laws allegedly collected the body and transported it to their rural home for burial without his consent.

Mandipedza said that as the deceased was his wife, she should have been buried at his homestead.

He said he did not attend the burial after his in-laws allegedly threatened him and his relatives if they followed them.

The dispute resurfaced when Mandipedza approached Chief Mutasa’s court after his in-laws allegedly blocked the customary distribution of his late wife’s belongings.

His father-in-law, Simba Mapani, rejected the allegations and accused Mandipedza and his family of neglecting his daughter when she fell ill and later died.

“He never informed us that she was ill. I even met him while she was ill, but he never mentioned anything. She was admitted to hospital on a Saturday and died on Tuesday,” said Mapani.

Mapani said the family was later informed that their daughter had been taken to hospital by motorcycle despite her critical condition.

He questioned why Mandipedza’s family had not asked for transport or assistance, adding that he owns a vehicle that could have been used. He said the circumstances surrounding his daughter’s illness were suspicious.

Mapani also defended his family’s decision to bury his daughter at their homestead, saying there were signs of neglect when they arrived at the Mandipedza home.

The deceased’s sister, Judith Mapani, also made allegations against Mandipedza, claiming her sister had suffered throughout the marriage.

Judith further alleged that her sister had said she had seen two goblins that would sleep with her and that she had suffered seven miscarriages.

In response, Mandipedza’s brother, Brian Mandipedza, said attempts to resolve the dispute through family meetings had repeatedly broken down amid hostility and accusations.

Chief Mutasa criticised Mandipedza for failing to visit his wife’s burial site, saying such conduct was contrary to Shona custom.

“It is taboo for a husband not to know where his wife is buried. You should first take your children to visit their mother’s grave before discussing the sharing of her belongings,” said the chief.

Chief Mutasa called on both families to seek an amicable settlement outside court, saying continued conflict would widen divisions and prolong the suffering of the deceased’s children.

More: The Manica Post