Tanzania, July 18 -- Dodoma. An 86-year-old resident of Mbisi Hamlet in Bahi District's Chipanga Division, Mr Klarensi Usakazi, has married his son's former wife, Mary, 20, reportedly after her parents failed to refund the dowry.

The octogenarian polygamist claims the union prevents the loss of his initial customary investment.

Ms Mary becomes Mr Usakazi's eighth wife, joining three siblings from another family, including a set of triplets, whom he wedded due to their household's highly regarded traditional behaviour and values.

In some Dodoma communities, elderly men marry young women under a custom called Chikombipilo, where a youthful bride is brought in specifically to care for an ageing husband who can no longer perform strenuous ...