‘No dowry, no marriage’- court send away bickering couple

Written by on May 30, 2019


DIANA NSOFWA writes

THE Matero Local Court has dismissed a request for divorce filed by a man because he has not paid the bride price for his wife.

Cosmas Banda, 51, of Zanimuone Township ran to the court to dissolve his marriage to Clara Banda, 32, of Chunga for divorce because she is violent.

But the court ruled that here was no marriage between the two because they had merely been co-habiting as lovers since no bride price has been paid to the family of the woman.

The two were appearing before magistrate Miyanda Banda.

Cosmas was charged K7,000 for dowry but he had not paid anything for all the years he had been living with his Clara.

He told the court that their problems started when they got married in 2013.

“Clara did not want my relatives. She would beat and chase them. She does not like my children, she hates them and she chased all of them from our home. She has no respect for me and she even accused me of cheating,” Cosmas said.

He told the court that Clara would call his friend a sweet heart in his presence on the phone.

“I even went to report the matter to our church father because she would call my friend a sweetheart on WhatsApp. She has embarrassed me a lot of times. When my relatives visit, she gets relish and goes to cook from her mother’s place. I do not love her anymore. I want to divorce that evil woman,” Cosmas said.

Clara told the court that Cosmas’ son was the cause of all the problems in their marriage because he used to steal a lot and was violent.

“His son would steal but he would not correct him. I did not chase the children. His son beats and insults me.  I have never beaten or chased any of his relatives. His sister came to visit and she would sleep a lot and would never help me out. I sat him [husband] down to talk to her he said I should leave him to sleep,” she said.

“He started giving the sister money for food and not me. His son sneezed on his hand and washed his hands in the plates. I asked him why he did that but he insulted me, joined by Cosmas’ sister,” Clara said.

She said her sister-in-law slapped her and that was the only time they fought.

“They all started beating me, including Cosmas. That is how I got upset and chased her. I still love him. We only quarrel over his relatives,” Clara said.

The court dismissed the claim because Cosmas had not paid the bride price.

“If there is a marriage then dowry must be paid and if it is not paid then there is no marriage. You are just cohabiting. Maintain your child. The claim has been dismissed,” magistrate Banda said.


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