Consenting Adults Prosecuted, Harassed in Zimbabwe for Love

It is ridiculous that adults aren't free to be together and love each other as they want. See this news...

In a bizarre case, a Domboshava man and his biological mother are reportedly on the run after having an incestuous relationship that culminated in two pregnancies. Simon Matsvara and Ethel Vhangare are from Pote Village under Chief Chinamhora.

Why not let them be? Who are they hurting?

Simon first impregnated his mother while his father Agripah Matsvara was alive and for the second time after his death.

It is alleged that the first time Simon impregnated his mother, she had a miscarriage.

However, this time Vhangare is alleged to be five months pregnant and Simon is responsible.

The pair reportedly fled the community recently after getting news that Chief Chinamhora, Simon Chidziva, had sent his aides to arrest them.

Why arrest them?

It is alleged that Vhangare's husband, Agripah, suffered a stroke in 2008 and relatives reportedly assigned Simon to assist his mother take care of the father.

Later in the same year, it is alleged Vhangare started vomiting and revealed to a neighbour that she was pregnant and her son was responsible.

So the neighbor is a rat? It sounds like the husband was incapacitated and the son was taking care of his mother's needs. Should she have brought an outsider home?

Family elders reportedly resolved the matter before fining the pair an undisclosed number of cattle.

But no goats?

The matter came to light after Vhangare absconded church services, prompted churchmates to pay her a visit.

Ah… “show up to church or else?”

"We are going to hunt for the two and we will punish them severely to send a clear message to would-be offenders that we do not tolerate such acts," the chief said yesterday.

They don’t tolerate love?

In a related incident, another pair from Mutonda village under Chief Chinamhora, was fined three beasts after siring two children in an incestuous relationship.

A 26-year-old man and his niece (22) reportedly cohabited as husband and wife since 2007.

They bore two children now aged four and one.

Notice that no mention is made of the children having any problems, and you know they would have pointed to that if it was the case. And how is this other situation related? It isn't, other than being another example of oppression of love.

The matter came to light after the man's uncle filed a complaint upon realising that his sister's son had paid a bride price for his daughter to his brother-in-law.

Sounds like the real issue was money.

In passing sentence, Chief Chinamhora ordered the man to pay two heads of cattle before relocating permanently to his paternal homestead in Rusape.

The woman was ordered to pay a cow.

How about supporting the rights of an adult to share love, sex, residence, and marriage with any consenting adults? There’s enough hate in the world and enough for people to do without trying to stop love between other people. Can you imagine being on the lookout for lovers? Shouldn’t be more concerned about polluters, thieves, and violent people?

This mother-son story is also covered here, here, and here.