“I Paid Lobola, So I Have the Right” – Family Sues Man Over Secret Memorial Service for Late Wife

A Zambian Edwin Makuya, has been dragged to the Lusaka High Court by his late wife’s family for allegedly organising a memorial service and planning a tombstone unveiling without their involvement.

The lawsuit was filed by Dumisani Banda, the brother of the late Sinazeni Banda, who passed away on February 2, 2022. Mr Banda is seeking an injunction to prevent Mr Makuya and his cousin, Jinga Zunda, from holding any future memorials or conducting rituals at the grave site without the Banda family’s participation.

According to court documents, the Banda family became aware of the memorial event after it had already been arranged. A friend of the deceased alerted them, and they later confirmed through Mr Makuya’s mother that the service was indeed organised without consulting the deceased’s parents or siblings.

Mr Banda claims that Mr Makuya justified the move by saying he had paid lobola (bride price), thus giving him the right to organise such events independently.

However, the Banda family insists that traditional and cultural norms were violated, arguing that a spouse cannot take full control over grave-related matters without involving the deceased’s family.

He further argues that the burial site at Memorial Park, where Sinazeni was laid to rest, was largely paid for by the Banda family and her schoolmates, with minimal contribution from Mr Makuya’s side.

The plaintiff now seeks a court declaration affirming that the grave and burial site do not belong to Mr Makuya or Mr Zunda, but to Sinazeni’s biological family. He also wants the court to bar Mr Makuya and his relatives from placing a tombstone or conducting any rituals in isolation.

The matter has stirred public discussion around customary rights, family roles in memorials, and respect for cultural practices following the death of a spouse.

Mwebantu