Kombo, Pastor Kasi married in traditional ceremony

Kombo, Pastor Kasi married in traditional ceremony

IVY Kombo

• 'In the name of Jesus, die' - Ivy's rant at journalist

• Pastor Kasi finally surrenders to the truth

• Ivy Kombo, Kasi wedding in February

By Torby Chimhashu

PASTOR Admire Kasi has customarily married his girlfriend, singer Ivy Kombo.

Kombo flew to Zimbabwe for the ceremony held at her family home in Glen View on Saturday, clearing the way for a public wedding ceremony later in the year.

Kasi's marriage to Kombo will heighten public criticism of the couple.

For several years, married Kasi denied rumours that he was bedding Kombo, whom he described as his daughter after adopting her together with her sister, Anne.

Kasi covered his tracks by keeping Kombo's mother happy with regular deliveries of goodies to her Glen View home and employing her brother, McDonald.

As rumours swelled in 2002 over his blossoming illicit affair with Ivy -- who was married to Edmore Moyo -- Kasi constantly denied the rumours, suggesting to reporters that they were accusing him of "incest".

Despite his spirited denials, he was defrocked by ZAOGA church. Kasi then sent his wife, Sarah, to Britain to avoid the storm.

Moyo, who had received assistance with his bride price for Kombo from Kasi, soon followed to the UK after the disgraced churchman tasked him with "planting a church" for his new Upper View Ministries.

It was not immediately clear this week if Kasi and Kombo's divorces had both gone through before Saturday's ceremony. Lawyers for Kombo's estranged husband have previously said they were waiting for Kombo to sign the divorce papers.

Lee Kasi, the disgraced pastor's sister, was non-commital when reporters arrived at the Kasi family home during the private ceremony.

"I don’t know what is really happening. I was just told to come here and, as you can see, I am just sitting in the car," she told the Sunday Mail.

"Besides, I am not the right person to give you details since whatever is happening inside has nothing to do with me."

But a neighbour revealed: "I saw Kasi driving his car in the morning and I am sure he is inside. The whole neighbourhood knows the two are getting married today."

Later Saturday, Kasi's spokesperson, Yeukai Mazanhi, confirmed he had paid lobola for his lover.

"Ivy and Pastor Kasi got married at a customary ceremony where he paid lobola for Ivy Kombo. The marriage was a long time coming but the couple could not preempt the customary ceremony as you know that the type of marriage can be a bit of a touchy affair and is rather sensitive.

"The Press had unfortunately married and wed the couple well before the official events on the ground and so it was not proper to announce a union before the inlaws had even given their daughter’s hand in marriage."

Both Kasi and Kombo have lived in the UK for the last four years, although Kasi returned to Zimbabwe last year, saying he wanted to prepare for the marriage.
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
shapiro@newzimbabwe.com