Zambia Army officer wins custody of his children
Written by Millennium on May 22, 2019
RABECCA BANDA writes
A Zambia Army officer of Mikango Barracks has won custody of his two after being sued by his former wife in the Chilenje Local Court.
Petronella Lembo,29, a sales lady of John Laing compound was sued for children custody by her former husband Osteen Muzoka,34,
Muzoka said they were married but got divorced and have three children together.
He said he wanted custody of the children between 8 and 10 years while the youngest could remain with Lembo.
“I was ordered by the court to pay K 750, per month for child maintenance and I have no problem with it and it’s not a reason I want to get them,
“I have remarried and I want my children to get familiar with my new wife,” he said. I will be going for peace keeping for a year but my wife is there to take care of the children,” he said.
He said he was not always at home but his wife was, adding that if the children were free with him then they could also learn to be free with his wife.
The two were appearing before presiding local court magistrate Patrick Nyirenda.
Lembo said she had no problem releasing the children but only when Muzoka returned from peace keeping.
“I wasn’t happy last time when the children came back from their father’s house with dirty clothes after the holiday,
“The children are still young, when they grow and are able to wash for themselves, I don’t mind them staying with their father. I am asking the court to grant me for time for the children to grow,” she said.
Lembo said she was against releasing the children in the absence of their father.
The court granted Muzoka custody of the two children effective June 2020 when he returns from peace keeping.
