Traditional Healers Back Chief Mutasa’s Lobola Refund Ruling

A prominent Zimbabwean traditional healer, Sekuru Banda, born Oman Kamwelo Banda, has defended Chief Mutasa’s ruling ordering the refund of lobola paid by businessman Blessing Togarepi, saying traditional customs do not permit a bride’s family to withhold a bride indefinitely after the bride price has been paid.

Speaking in an interview with Hurumende News Hub, Sekuru Banda said under Zimbabwean culture, a bride may remain at her parents’ home for a short period after lobola negotiations to receive guidance from elderly women before joining her husband. He said the arrangement is a long-standing cultural practice aimed at preparing a woman for married life.

“According to our culture, it is possible for a bride to stay with her family for about three to four days before going to her husband’s home. During that time, her aunts advise her on how to become a good wife and how to manage a household,” Sekuru Banda said.

He added that in some cases, the bride may accompany her husband immediately after the bride price ceremony, depending on the agreement reached by both families.

Sekuru Banda said, however, that it is against customary practice for a bride’s family to refuse to release the bride after lobola has been paid without a valid reason.

“It is not allowed for the bride’s family to prevent the groom from taking his bride home after he has paid the bride price. If that happens, it shows there is something hidden that needs to be cleared,” he said.

His remarks follow the recent case involving Togarepi, whose marriage to Aisha Lulu Chihota collapsed before the couple began living together despite his paying US$3,500 in lobola on June 6. Chief Mutasa’s court later ordered Chihota’s family to refund the lobola by August 31 after hearing the dispute.

Sekuru Banda supported the chief’s ruling, saying it was justified under customary law because there was no clear explanation for why the bride was not allowed to join her husband after the payment of lobola.

“I support Chief Mutasa’s judgment because he saw that nothing was clear about why Togarepi was not given his wife. If the money is not returned, it will appear as though the bride’s family planned to scam him,” Banda said.

The case has sparked renewed debate over the interpretation of traditional marriage customs, particularly the rights and responsibilities of both families after lobola has been paid, as modern marriage practices continue to evolve.