SON-IN-LAW DEMANDS LOBOLA BACK

MBABANE – A man has challenged his son-in law and indvuna for demanding lobola back.

Michael Mavuso (former father-in-law) took Indvuna of Kalanga Royal Kraal, Solomon Tikhontele Fakudze and Mzwandile Mhlungu (son-in-law) to the High Court. This comes after Mhlungu approached Kalanga Royal Kraal (umphakatsi) to intervene in the matter as he claimed back his lobola from Mavuso’s family. Mavuso revealed that around April 2016, Mhlungu had paid lobola to the Mavuso family. He delivered a herd of 13 cattle, as per Eswatini tradition. However, the two decided to marry under civil rites marriage. It was reported, however, Mhlungu and Mavuso’s daughter, Zinhle’s marriage fell apart and they divorced. Mavuso and his legal counsel argued that as this was a marriage in community of property, it forfeited Mhlungu every right to demand lobola back. It was submitted in Mavuso’s defence that out of the 13 cattle, three cattle were slaughtered during the lobola function.  To cater for the wedding expenses, he allegedly sold two cattle and one was slaughtered on the day to feed the wedding entourage.

Money

Mavuso revealed to the court that the bride price was not entirely literal cattle as per Eswatini Law and Custom. The cattle were supplemented with money. He also disclosed to the court that the couple asked for financial assistance to start a new life and he felt compelled to sell the cattle to assist them. He stated that he sold two cattle and gave them the money. It was brought to the court’s attention that Mhlungu was demanding that Zinhle should work at a shop in Nhlangano where she would have earned E700. This would be her contribution to the upkeep of her family. Mavuso relayed that he did not approve of this as his daughter was studying part-time at Ngwane Teachers’ Training College; he submitted that he felt strongly about this. Hence, this urged him to pay Zinhle a monthly allowance of E1 000. It was highlighted that he pulled this up for 12 months, so that Zinhle would continue with her studies with ease and still contribute towards her household expenses. He revealed that Zinhle did not have a study sponsor; hence he sold three cattle to pay for her tuition fees. His legal representative stated that considering the calculation of the mentioned expenses, the cattle were used for the benefit of Mhlungu and Zinhle. It was submitted that all the cattle were exhausted.

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