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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
THE body of a Gokomere woman allegedly killed by her husband two weeks ago is decomposing in a mortuary after her relatives refused to bury her until they received compensation. Sukai Chiutsi, 35, from Gokomere near Masvingo, was allegedly strangled by her husband following a dispute over being served isitshwala with vegetables.

Chiutsi’s relatives are demanding 15 head of cattle from her husband Paul Chiumba, 40, whom they are holding responsible for their daughter’s death.
Village head Chikumbezi, John Virima, told Chronicle yesterday that the  Chiutsi family deserted Chiumba’s homestead two weeks ago and the corpse was now going bad at the mortuary. He said the whole village was pondering on the next move and hoped a compromise would be reached soon since Chiumba had been granted bail by the courts.

He said the Chiutsi family demanded 15 head of cattle, but after a series of discussions, they reduced the number to eight head of cattle.
“As I speak the whole village is pondering on the next move and we may be forced to engage police. The body is decomposing at Masvingo General Hospital mortuary with no reprieve in sight as the Chiutsi family are refusing to budge from their demands.

“However, I hope that a compromise will be reached soon, since the owner of the case has been released from jail,” said village head Chikumbezi.
Chiumba, who is represented by Charles Ndlovu, was granted $100 bail by the High Court on Thursday.

“The late’s relatives later reduced the number from 15 to eight cattle with the remainder coming later but Chiumba family offered four, promising to look for the balance.

“Since the beginning of this month the impasse is still on,” Chikumbezi said.
“Chiutsi family left in the middle of a funeral wake and have vowed not to return unless Chiumba family gives in to their demands. I’m in constant touch with Chiumba family and they have promised to mobilise resources so that they can meet their in-laws’ demands. My prayer is for the two parties to agree.”

Chiutsi family spokesperson Tafadzwa Chiutsi Mutasa said they left the funeral wake before the body was collected from the mortuary.
“We left due to Chiumba family’s arrogance. Their arrogance cannot be tolerated, we all decided to leave the funeral wake a fortnight ago and if they want to bury they can go ahead with the burial without our blessings,” said Mutasa.

“They are not accepting responsibility and denying postmortem results.”
Mutasa alleged that the Chiumba family was taking the whole incident lightly showing no sense of urgency saying they were not sincere in their promises.
“Our son-in-law lied to us about the circumstances leading to Sukai’s death yet it was proved.

That implies that they wanted her to die in vain. Even the four cattle they are claiming to have offered are not there.”