B R I G A D I E R N K H W A S H U

The speaker became the de facto head of Sazi’s family unit after his death due to customary law obligations.

“I became de facto head of that family unit”

Sazi had an older brother who was not the breadwinner as he was unemployed, so the speaker fulfilled that role.

“Sazi had an elder brother who was staying in KZN and me, actually, I would say I was a breadwinner . . . his biological older brother was a person who was not working”

Customary law required protecting and supporting Fundiswa as if she were the speaker’s own blood sister, including facilitating her remarriage if she chose.

“Customary law therefore required me to treat Fundiswa as my own blood sister ... I had to protect and support her, including facilitating her remarriage if she chose to”

Brigadier Nkhwashu was angry and did not approve of the man Fundiswa wanted to marry because he discovered the man was already married.

“I was angry rather because she told us that this guy is a married guy ... I said to her, you cannot marry a married guy”

Brigadier Nkhwashu left the meeting when Fundiswa insisted on marrying the already married man, disapproving the marriage.

“I decided I was not happy to hear that he is a married guy and I said to her ... Then I left the meeting at that and she decided to continue on her own”

Brigadier Nkhwashu did not know if it was a polygamous marriage, only knew the man was married and did not approve.

“No, I had no idea ... I do not recommend you marrying a married guy”

The customary marriage between Fundiswa and the man took place because lobola negotiations occurred, lobola was paid, and rituals of customary marriage were engaged in.

“I called it like that because I learned afterwards that that event took place”

Brigadier Nkhwashu's relationship with Fundiswa is a traditional family bond related to Mpondo custom and is not based on any improper association.

“My relationship with Fundiswa is not based on any improper association . It is a traditional family bond related to Mpondo custom and in the ordinary human ties of care for a woman who become my sister through marriage”

Any assistance B R I G A D I E R N K H W A S H U gave to Fundiswa or her husband, including lending a vehicle, helping deliver clothes to her husband in prison, or meeting with Katiso, was done out of customary duty and family bond.

“Any assistance I gave to her or her husband must be understood in that light. Further to this, Fundiswa's entire family passed on . . . I lent her a vehicle, helped her deliver clothes to her husband in prison or meeting with Katiso”

After the customary marriage, Brigadier Nkhwashu accepted the new husband as his brother-in-law, reflecting customary family acceptance.

“I accept him as my sister's husband just as I would accept any brother-in-law”