(Last Updated on October 13, 2013 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – A PROUD Grace Mugabe said Saturday that her daughter, Bona, was never raped and remains a virgin adding plans were at an advanced stage for what would likely be Zimbabwe’s version of a royal wedding.
President Robert Mugabe’s 24-year-old daughter completed traditional marriage formalities with boyfriend, Simba Chikore, at the family’s Zvimba rural home in August with the Emirates pilot said to have paid US$35,000 in bride price.
Speaking openly about her daughter’s marriage at a women’s conference in Harare, the First Lady said, once she became aware of their relationship, she immediately told her prospective son-in-law that she wanted her daughter to be married a virgin .
“Way back, I asked my daughter whether she had a boyfriend since she was growing up the same way I did, a shy person and reserved, and she said there was someone,” said Grace Mugabe.
“I called (Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa, ZAOGA, pastor) Mai Eunah Guti to ask about the boyfriend and her response was – “if that boy becomes your son-in-law, you will be delighted”.
“I also spoke to Baba Ezekiel Guti, and he again echoed the same sentiments. They (Bona and Simba) developed a relationship and I told my daughter I am going to bring you up the traditional way.
“Do not ever let that boy touch your breast or your body you must have the honour to get married when you are still a virgin.
“She has listened to me and I spoke to Simba and I told him that I want my daughter to get married when she is still a virgin and he respects that.”
The First Lady dismissed as lies online reports in 2010 alleging Bona had been raped in Singapore after a student party.
“There were reports that my daughter was raped … nothing of that sort ever happened. She is a virgin,” she said.
And adressing her daughter who was in the crowd directly the First Lady added: “You make me proud and I am a proud mother.