A family in Zimbabwe has been left at the centre of an extraordinary scandal after a man allegedly abandoned all social norms by marrying his own mother-in-law as his second wife following a secret affair that reportedly lasted nearly seven years.
The shocking case has stunned many, with relatives saying the relationship tore apart what was once a stable family. According to reports, Vashko Sande’s affair with his wife’s mother began several years after he married Vimbai Magora in 2008. What initially appeared to be a normal marriage soon descended into conflict, heartbreak, and court battles.
Magora told the court that everything changed around 2011 when her husband became emotionally distant before turning hostile. She claimed he openly admitted his love for her mother and gradually became abusive towards her.
In her application for a peace order, Magora alleged that Sande frequently insulted and assaulted her while threatening to throw her and their four children out of their matrimonial home. She said she endured years of emotional pain as her husband continued pursuing a relationship with her own mother.
The distressed wife explained that both families convened several meetings in an attempt to save the marriage. Elders reportedly advised Sande to end the controversial affair and reconcile with his wife, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Instead, he allegedly ignored their counsel and went ahead to formalise his relationship with his mother-in-law by taking her as his second wife.
The unusual arrangement effectively made Sande his own father-in-law, a twist that has sparked widespread debate and disbelief.
When the matter came before the court, Sande did not deny the allegations. Instead, he openly admitted that he loved both women and insisted he wanted them to remain part of his life.
“It is true that I am in love with her mother, but I still love my wife as well. Therefore, I would like to spend all my life with them,” he told the court.
After hearing both sides, Zvishavane Magistrate Shepherd Mjanja ruled in favour of Magora and granted her a peace order. The court directed Sande not to physically assault, threaten, or emotionally abuse his first wife, offering her legal protection as the family dispute continues.
The bizarre case has generated intense public discussion, with many expressing sympathy for Magora while others questioned how such a relationship could develop within the same family, making it one of Zimbabwe’s most talked-about domestic disputes.
