(PHOTO) CONFUSION AS BRIDE-GROOM IS ARRESTED DURING WEDDING CEREMONY, BRIDE FAINTS

The planned wedding of a South Africa-based couple was called off in
Gweru on Saturday when the groom was led away in handcuffs, while the
bride fainted when the groom's ex-wife from Mutare pitched up with a
two-year-old boy in tow.It was apparently the first time the bride had
heard that she was marrying a divorcee. The drama unfolded at
Mpumalanga Lodge in Gweru at around 11am on Saturday where Movern
Madhende was set to wed Miss Rejoice Munike of Mkoba high-density
suburb.
The wedding was abandoned after Madhende's wife, Ms Rumbidzai Chipuma
of ZIMTA Park in Mutare, showed up at the wedding and objected to it
before the preacher could lead the couple through their vows.
Ms Chipuma then called the police and the groom was subsequently
arrested for defaulting on paying maintenance amounting to US$1 800
for the upkeep of his son.
When The Herald news crew arrived at the scene, the bride was being
resuscitated after she fainted on realising that her husband-to-be had
a child and had been married. Ms Chipuma said she had come all the way
from Mutare after getting wind that Madhende was getting married after
he had abandoned her with the baby for South Africa.
She claimed that Madhende had abandoned her and the child and had also
defaulted paying maintenance for 18 months. Ms Chipuma was also in
possession of a court order for the arrest of Madhende for defaulting
on maintenance.
"I had a child with Madhende in 2011 and went to my parents where he
formalised our marriage and committed himself to come back with the
lobola. He then left for South Africa to look for employment," she
said. Ms Chipuma said she later took Madhende to court after he failed
to show any commitment to pay the bride price. "After my parents died,
Madhende abandoned me and the child. I then took him to court in July
2011 where the court ordered him to pay US$100 per month as
maintenance. He paid for a few months before defaulting," Ms Chipuma
said.
"He has defaulted for over 18 months. I then went back to court where
I was given papers so that he could be arrested. When I heard of the
wedding, I came to Gweru and tried to engage him the day before but to
no avail. I then reported the matter to the police," she said.
Madhende refused to speak to the Press.
"I have nothing to say," he said. Madhende's brother Sam confirmed
that his brother had a child with Ms Chipuma and the two had been
fighting over the upkeep of the child. "We want to resolve the matter
amicably. We can commit ourselves to sell our cattle so that we raise
the required amount," he said. Midlands police spokesperson Inspector
Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed Madhende's arrest.