Watsomba Man Accuses Best Friend of Snatching His Bride‑to‑Be

A scandal has rocked Watsomba after Shakemore Macheka accused his best friend Harry Surudzo of snatching his bride‑to‑be.

The case, now before Chief Mutasa’s community court, has exploded into a bitter feud marked by humiliation, jealousy and courtroom drama.

Macheka told the court that Surudzo, a widower he once trusted as his best friend, had betrayed him by moving in with Shantel, the woman he was preparing to marry.

He alleged that Surudzo frequently visited her rented apartment in Watsomba, paid the rentals, and later relocated her to Hobhouse in Mutare after the case was reported.

He insisted that Surudzo’s actions went beyond friendship, accusing him of abusing his trust.

Macheka said what began as friendly advice had turned into a rivalry, setting the stage for a bitter confrontation.

Surudzo denied the allegations, saying he had never taken Macheka’s wife‑to‑be.

He argued that there was no marriage between them and claimed he did not even know Shantel’s whereabouts.

Surudzo explained that he had only tried to mediate between the two.

“I was only trying to mediate between them. When she later moved out, Macheka accused me of renting her a new place, but that is not true,” he told the court.

Shantel told the court that Macheka had overstated their relationship.

“Yes, we were in a relationship, but we parted ways. We were only cohabiting, never married. He does not even know my family. He keeps calling me his wife, but that was never the case,” she said.

She explained that the fallout began after Macheka and his brother were accused of stealing from Surudzo’s shop.

“They both worked for him, and when the brother was fired for theft, Macheka accused me of snitching. He believed I had reported them to Surudzo, which I did not.

“In fact, I was faithful to him, yet he accused me of cheating because he thought I was siding with Surudzo,” she testified.

As the hearing continued, Macheka admitted that no bride price had been paid but insisted he considered the relationship a marriage‑in‑waiting.

“I was planning to marry her soon. Although I never paid any bride price, I already had the money set aside.

“She moved in with me as if we were married, yet eventually she left me for Surudzo,” he said.

Chief Mutasa ruled that the matter had no legal standing, stressing that a serious relationship does not amount to marriage.

“She was not your wife. You never paid any bride price, and you are not known by her family as a son‑in‑law,” he said.

He added: “Even if you go to the civil court, nothing will be awarded to you because she was just your girlfriend, not your wife. At most, you can sue her for damages as a girlfriend, not as a wife.”

Chief Mutasa concluded firmly:

“This woman is still in the streets and not in your home.”

With that, the matter was dismissed.

-Manica-post