Woman wants month-old marriage nullified

A 35-year-old woman of Mzimnene has approached the Pigg’s Peak Magistrate’s Court seeking to end her 30-day traditional marriage.

Khululiwe Matsebula claims she was forced into the union by her soldier boyfriend, Jabulani Shabangu of Mgungundlovu. She appeared before Magistrate Innocent Mahlalela, seeking an order to compel her parents to stop pressuring her to return to the Shabangu homestead to perform marital duties against her wishes. The matter was heard in the presence of members of both families, with Matsebula maintaining that she did not consent to the marriage and no longer had feelings for Shabangu.

According to Matsebula, she had informed Shabangu before the marriage that she no longer loved him because she was in love with another man, identified as Sanele Magongo of Ntsanjeni. In her statement before the court, Matsebula said she clearly remembered September 20, as the day she was allegedly forced into a traditional marriage with Shabangu, whom she had previously dated.

She said the soldier had informed her that he was visiting his sister’s place. She said Shabangu hired a taxi for her to go to the said place where he would give her clothes he had bought for her only to find out that it was not true. “I was against that marriage, such that I informed both my parents that I will return home,” she stated.

She said she subsequently went to the Pigg’s Peak Police Station to report the matter, hoping to find assistance in resolving the situation.

However, Matsebula alleged that her parents continued to insist that she return to her husband’s homestead despite her repeated objections.

On October 7, she approached the magistrate’s court to report the matter, explaining that she wanted to end the marriage and seek legal assistance so as to have it nullified. Matsebula further told the court that Shabangu had indicated that he had no problem with her decision to leave the union. According to her account, Shabangu told her to continue with her life while he moved on with his.

However, she alleged that tensions with her mother escalated after a meeting concerning the matter. Matsebula said she did not immediately return home after the meeting because she was still trying to resolve her marital problems. Her mother allegedly contacted her to establish her whereabouts, prompting Matsebula to explain that she was still working on ending the marriage.

She claimed that her mother insisted she return to the Shabangu homestead and became hostile when she refused. She claimed that her mother insulted her, telling her that she would die barren and poor. She further alleged that her mother accused her of being capable of having sexual relations with her in-laws.

Matsebula told the court that the pressure from her parents had left her determined to seek legal intervention rather than return to a marriage she said she did not want. The dispute centres on her demand to be allowed to make her own decision about the marriage without being compelled by her family to fulfil marital obligations.

While Matsebula maintained that she was forced into the union, her account also indicates that her decision to reject the marriage was influenced by her feelings for Magongo, whom she said she loved more than Shabangu.

‘My father assaulted me’

KHULULIWE Matsebula has alleged that her father assaulted and further forced her to return to the Shabangu homestead, where she claims she was forced into marriage.

Matsebula told the court that her parents had been pressuring her to return to her husband despite repeatedly telling them that she did not want to continue with the marriage.

She alleged that her father assaulted her after she refused to return, prompting her to report the matter to Mliba Police Station.

She further accused her mother of insulting her and using unpalatable words while insisting that she return to Shabangu.

According to Matsebula, her mother told her that the family was preparing for a small wedding delegation (sitsinjane) so that she returns to her marital home.

She also alleged that her mother warned that if Shabangu could not have her, her other boyfriend would also lose her. Matsebula said she interpreted the statement as a threat to kill her.

Court stops woman’s parents

THE court has issued an interim order restraining Khululiwe Matsebula’s parents from insulting, assaulting or forcing her to return to the Shabangu homestead to perform wifely duties.

The order was issued by Magistrate Innocent Mahlalela following Khululiwe’s application for protection against her parents, whom she alleges have been pressuring her to return to her husband, Jabulani Shabangu.

In granting the order, Magistrate Mahlalela directed the parents not to compel Khululiwe to perform wifely duties at the Shabangu homestead through threats, intimidation, physical force or any unlawful means.

The court further ordered the parents not to enlist, instruct or encourage any other person to threaten or intimidate Khululiwe for the purpose of forcing her to return to Shabangu’s homestead.

The interim order comes amid a dispute in which Khululiwe claims she was forced into the marriage.

Soldier denies forcing girlfriend into marriage

UMBUTFO Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) member Jabulani Shabangu has denied allegations that he forced his girlfriend Khululiwe Matsebula into marriage.

He claims they both mutually agreed to get married after being in a relationship for five years. Shabangu said he was surprised by the allegations, maintaining that Matsebula had willingly participated in the traditional marriage ceremony without raising any concerns.

The dispute comes after Matsebula approached the court seeking to end and nullify their month-old marriage. Matsebula also sought an order compelling her parents to stop forcing her to return to Shabangu’s homestead to fulfil her marital responsibilities. However, Shabangu disputed her version of events, saying their relationship dated back to 2021 and that he had been taking care of her throughout their time together.

He further claimed that Matsebula had shown no signs of dissatisfaction on the day of the traditional marriage ceremony. According to Shabangu, Matsebula even sent photographs taken during the ceremony to her sisters in Mbabane, informing them that she was now ‘Mrs Shabangu.’ He explained that, following the ceremony, Matsebula was accompanied back to her parental home in accordance with tradition to report that she had been traditionally wedded. She was expected to return to her matrimonial home the following week.

However, Shabangu alleged that things took a different turn as days went by, claiming that he later received information that another man allegedly involved with Matsebula had approached her parents and threatened them with muti. He suggested that the alleged threats could have contributed to the breakdown of the marriage, claiming that Matsebula subsequently began giving reasons for not returning to her matrimonial home.

Shabangu maintained that he had entered the marriage in good faith and had not forced Matsebula to marry him. Despite disputing the allegations, the soldier said he was now prepared to accept Matsebula’s decision to end the marriage, given how the matter had escalated. He indicated that he was ready to move on with his life rather than continue pursuing a relationship that had become contentious.