Bindura Man Fined for Secret Affair with Mother-in...

Bindura Man Fined for Secret Affair with Mother-in-Law

Witness Runodada- Zim Now Reporter

A Bindura man, Tapera John, has been dragged before Chief Chipadze’s traditional court after it was revealed he had been involved in a secret relationship with his mother-in-law, the wife of Mike Bhiriyadhi.

The scandalous case, which has sent shockwaves through the community, came to light when Bhiriyadhi uncovered the affair and reported it to his headman, who escalated the matter to Chief Chipadze.

During the court hearing, locally referred to as a dare, it was disclosed that John and Bhiriyadhi’s wife were facilitated in their clandestine meetings by Mavis Musuwo, John’s aunt. Musuwo admitted she had unknowingly provided a meeting place, explaining that she was unaware of their intentions.

“John came to my house drunk and asked for a place to sleep. He had stayed at my place before, so I let him in. Later, his mother-in-law arrived, though she did not give a clear reason for her visit,” Musuwo told the court.

The affair was exposed after local witnesses tipped off Bhiriyadhi while he was at work. He promptly reported the situation to the local headman, who deemed the issue a matter of moral concern and referred it to the chief.

Further details emerged during the hearing, revealing a complicated history between the two men. Chief Chipadze questioned the relationship between John and Bhiriyadhi. Bhiriyadhi explained that John was previously married to his daughter, Ruth. Though John was not Ruth’s biological father, he had been in a relationship with her mother, Bhiriyadhi’s wife. The marriage eventually broke down.

While multiple witnesses confirmed John’s past marriage to Ruth, John denied any knowledge of such a relationship, saying, “I don’t know what they are talking about,” despite testimonies to the contrary.

There were also questions surrounding Ruth’s age when she met John, with suggestions that she may have been underage. However, her mother refuted the claim, stating, “Ruth met John at 18, and she is now married elsewhere but is still 18.”

At the conclusion of the proceedings, Chief Chipadze issued a ruling that stunned many in attendance. He ordered Bhiriyadhi’s wife to pay one cow to John’s current wife as compensation for disturbing her marital peace. Additionally, John was fined one cow and a goat for engaging in morally unacceptable behaviour within the community.