A Zambian Lady Magistrate, Marble Mwaba, has been forced to dissolve a four-year-old marriage, much against her wish, having established that there were “problems in the marriage and both parties did not know” their roles.
“We’ve taken note of the abuse in the marriage and that there was neglect in the upbringing of the children and Simon seem to be tired and doesn’t want reconciliation. He doesn’t love the wife and made it clear she will never change. It’s unfortunate that a marriage of four years old can break down. On these grounds, we grant divorce,” said magistrate Mwaba.
Mwaba of Boma Local Magistrate Court was ruling in a divorce case brought by 32-year-old Lusaka man, Simon Ng’ambi, who refused to reconcile with his wife of four years, Priscilla Chama (24) because “she is a drunkard who cannot reform.”
Simon Ng’ambi, 32 pleaded with the court to dissolve his marriage to Priscilla of Matero Township because his wife was a drunk and “never had time” for their two children.
He said he no longer loved his wife and also accused her of having a boyfriend.
Ng’ambi said he refused to reconcile with Priscilla while on separation.
He said his wife on several occasions abandoned the matrimonial home without informing him on her whereabouts.
“When I returned from work one day, I didn’t find my wife home and on my way out to buy food for the children, I saw her drunk with beer in her hands, staggering. When I asked where she was coming from, she said it was none of my business,” Ng’ambi said.
Ng’ambi said despite the two families counselling them, his wife had not changed her lifestyle.
He said when his wife was admitted to Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, he answered a phone call from a man he alleged was the boyfriend.
Ng’ambi said after asking his wife why she had not stopped communication with the said man, she apologised through short messaging system (SMS).
He also said his wife and nurses did not tell him what she suffered from but when he inquired from a doctor, he was told that she had a miscarriage.
Ng’ambi said if his wife was pregnant, he was not responsible.
But Chama, in her statement, insisted she still loved her husband.
She explained that she was never pregnant but suffered severe bleeding resulting from family planning.
Chama, however, said she was told that she had a miscarriage by the hospital officials.
She said the children would suffer if the court allowed the divorce.
She denied having an extra marital affair.
Chama said she was ready to change and reconcile with her husband.
However, Ng’ambi submitted that he did not want to reconcile with Chama.
