HARARE, Sept 15 (Reuters) – Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai, whose wedding plans appeared to have been thwarted
when a court ruled he was already wed to a former flame, pressed
ahead with his marriage on Saturday under a custom that permits
polygamy.
The scandal – which had also seen another woman challenge
his wedding plans – has gripped the nation and handed his rival,
President Robert Mugabe, political ammunition as he seeks to
extend his three-decade rule in an election expected within a
year.
Tsvangirai could not be married in a legally recognised
ceremony because of the embarrassing ruling. In an apparent bid
to save face, he instead held a ceremony under Zimbabwe’s
“customary marriage” practice.
The 60-year-old and Elizabeth Macheka, 35, exchanged rings
and promised to love each other. But there was no signing of a
marriage certificate or vows of monogamy.
A magistrate said on Friday that Tsvangirai’s former flame
Locardia Karimatsenga had proved she was his wife under the
customary marriage practice. A man can have several customary
marriages, but if he has wed under the practice is precluded
from holding a legal marriage ceremony.
Days earlier, another woman, South African Nosipho Regina
Shilubane, also filed a court challenge to stop the wedding,
saying she was engaged to the prime minister, with whom she said
she had been romantically involved since 2009.
Tsvangirai on Saturday hosted a lavish reception party for
hundreds of guests who had already gathered in Harare for his
wedding, but Mugabe and several other heads of states invited
from region did not turn up.
The ceremony, at a Harare garden venue, was presided over by
a priest. Tsvangirai wore a black business suit and Macheka a
flowing white gown, and they smiled and waved at the guests.
The prime minister’s aides said he intended to have just one
wife.
Continued…
