WOMAN FILES A SUIT IN COURT FOR THE ANNULMENT OF BRIDE PRICE PRACTICE

An aggrieved woman who is a lawyer has filed a suit in Zimbabwe court calling for the annulment of bride price practice in the country.

The lawyer Priccilar Vengesai state before the court that women were seen like assets generating income to their families.

She added that such practice is stopping many women in Zimbabwe from getting married as it is considered the only acceptable measure of approval for marriages.

It is alleged that many women in Zimbabwe are still unmarried and illegally married because of high bride price persistently influenced by Uncles and Other relatives especially the unmarried ones.

The practice is often seen like a family vendetta or payback as a given family married from another family wait patiently with higher demands for any family to come seek the hands of their daughter in marriage.

Miss Priccilar who was once married told the court to reach a decision that would Favour women so she can be married again and won't be seen like an item bought to her husband.

"I did not participate in the deliberation of my bride price, so are other women, we don't even have the voice to question if its right or not. Such practice has subjected us to be seen like just items bought by husbands".

"I can say it contribute to end my marriage, i had no respect from my husband's family relatives,am back to my father's house now. I want the court to abolish lobolo (bride price) so i can get married legally."
Priccilar spoke.

Her appeal is still pending in court as it was adjourned for further hearing. It is however not clear if judgment would Favour Barr. Priccilar because bride price practice is known to be culturally approved but the culture as said must be in line with the law of the land.

Many Zimbabwean women expressed support for the suit and urged the court to grant it permanent existence so that such "upgraded slave trading" that has birthed marrying through "the window since the door are well padlocked" can end . They added that such favourable judgement day would be declared as ever memorable.

However some were against the suit as it would degrade the culture and institution of marriage but maintained that even if bride price is reduced to a universal amount or becomes free it would still need the consent of parents.

Alleged High Bride price practices is predominant in Africa with Nigeria not being an exception. Some states in Nigeria are well dreaded to marry from hence increasing the number of Spinsters ,Bachelors, Single Mothers and Cohabitants.

Tiv clan in Benue state had in July this year disproved the practice of high bride price and excessive expenses in burial.

MY NAME IS ZEDICUS PIRO AND YOU KNOW SAY WORDS NO BE PROBLEM