A 23-year-old man from Budiriro 4 in Harare died just 18 days after paying lobola for his wife, after his church allegedly barred him from taking her home until a formal white wedding had been held.
Canaan Mumba paid roora for his wife, Thelma Hliwayo, on 5 September and wanted to bring her home immediately to start their married life.
Customarily, paying lobola allows a couple to live together and enjoy conjugal rights, but church leaders reportedly told him he could not do so until he had a white wedding, which can take months to plan.
Family spokesperson Nyakabawu, who confirmed the tragedy, told H-Metro that Canaan was deeply affected by the decision.
“We have been robbed of a loving man and promising leader of our family,” she said.
“Canaan wanted to take his wife soon after paying lobola, arguing that waiting for a white wedding would pave the way for the devil. His church leaders denied him, and he became bitter.
“We did not expect that it would end in this way. To him, Roora Day was bigger than a white wedding, and it affected him.”
According to the family, Canaan became distressed after being told he could not live with his wife or be intimate with her until after the church ceremony, despite having completed the traditional marriage payments.
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