A FATHER has made matrimonial history in Zimbabwe by demanding a cellphone as “brideprice” for his daughter. Under Zimbabwe’s African Marriages Act, couples wanting to register their union under the complex customary law of the predominating Shona and Ndebele tribes have to declare in writing the amount of brideprice — until 30 years ago, payable only in cattle. Officials at Harare’s registry office said the cellphone demand was the first of its kind to reach their notice. Women’s rights’ campaigners are demanding urgent repeal of the repressive act, which allows an African husband to take additional wives at will and makes his eldest son his heir, disinheriting older half-sisters.