A 48-YEAR-OLD man from Burton Township broke down in tears before Livingstone Local Court as he pleaded for the dissolution of his 28-year marriage, citing persistent domestic violence and threats to his life.
Clifford Chisangano told Principal Presiding Magistrate Mubita Mubiana and Senior Magistrate Esau Daka that his wife, Moono Simushi, had become a danger to him and their household.
“My wife is violent and uncontrollable,” Chisangano said, his voice trembling.
“She drinks excessively and threatens to attack me with a machete whenever we argue. I have been beaten, chased, and humiliated. I’ve even filed medical reports with Mbita Police Post to prove the assaults,” he added.
The court heard that Simushi, a bricklayer by profession, had burned Chisangano’s National Registration Card, destroyed his school documents, and discarded his antiretroviral medication.
“She threw away my ARVs. I fear that either I will kill her or she will kill me. I just want a divorce,” he said.
The couple married on September 14, 1998 under customary law, with Chisangano paying K700 as dowry.
They have five children aged 26, 23, 17, 7, and 1 year 7 months.
In her defence, Simushi admitted that their marriage had been troubled but blamed her husband for neglecting the family whenever he had money.
-Zambia Daily Mail