Chief fines Tsvangirai for ‘unsacred marriage’

AN AFRICAN chief has fined Zimbabwe’s prime minister two cows, two sheep and ten yards of cloth for breaking a tribal taboo that forbids marriage negotiations during a period deemed “sacred” in ancient folklore.

State radio said yesterday that a Harare businesswoman who had a relationship with widower Morgan Tsvangirai claimed he paid a traditional “bride price” and married her in November, when no marriage rites are allowed.

Mr Tsvangirai has acknowledged the relationship, which he broke off last month, but denied a marriage. State radio said he was given 30 days to “pay” the chief. Mr Tsvangirai’s party, in a fragile coalition government, said the marriage claims were fabricated by Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party to discredit him.