A WOMAN of Kitwe wept uncontrollably in Buchi Local Court after her 25-year marriage was dissolved.
Jessica Ezensi broke down as the court granted divorce, saying she still loved her husband, Ignatius Mutale, and did not want the marriage to end.
However, in passing judgment, Buchi senior local court magistrate Kambole Nyoni granted the divorce following Mutale’s insistence that he had moved on with another woman.
Magistrate Nyoni ordered Mutale to maintain his wife with K1,000 per month for 24 months.
“The court has no right to force couples to be together if one of them does not want the divorce,” Magistrate Nyoni said.
Mutale had sued his wife on grounds that she drank excessively and frequently obtained loans.
The court heard that the couple married in 2001 and have four children together.
Earlier, Mutale told the court he was tired of his wife’s borrowing habits, claiming she often took loans to fund her drinking.
He said this had left him stagnant in life, as he was constantly compelled to repay her debts.
“I am tired of this woman. All I want is for this marriage to end so that she can continue living her reckless life. I also have another woman in my life who is more respectful and does not drink. I intend to marry her,” Mutale said.
In her defence, Ezensi denied borrowing money for alcohol and claimed her husband’s true motive was his relationship with the other woman.
She testified that Mutale had introduced the woman as his sister, only for her to later discover they were romantically involved and had a child together.
Despite her pleas not to proceed with the divorce, saying she still loved him, Magistrate Nyoni ruled in favour of Mutale, granting the divorce and ordering maintenance.
-ZDM