Mazabuka Magistrate Court has ordered a 40-year-old man, Kenneth Silwimba, to pay K5,000 in instalments to his 65-year-old father-in-law, Mukonda Lumbala, for eloping with his daughter.

It is reported that Lumbala sued Silwimba for taking his daughter in 2014 without the family’s consent.

Lumbala stated that Silwimba lived with his daughter for nine years.

Upon Silwimba’s eventual visit to settle matters with the family, he was charged K2,600 for elopement, a sum he has yet to fulfil.

Silwimba acknowledged both the elopement and the charge, citing a modest income as the reason for non-payment.

Despite this, he expressed a willingness to settle the charge, emphasizing his responsibility as the father of a child with Lumbala’s daughter.

Magistrate Sarah Kantumoya, in her judgement, has set the compensation at K5,000, equating the amount to the value of two cattle.