Charcoal burner turns back on wife in court

LUCY PHIRI writes

A 34 YEAR OLD charcoal burner who sued his wife for reconciliation in the Chelstone Local Court later changed his mind and called her a witch and a snake in the grass after hearing her statement in court and applied for divorce.

This is a case in which Kangwa Mwango of Kasisi area sued his wife Susan Wamunyima, 28, a businesswoman of the same area for reconciliation.

“You are a snake in green grass ’’ Mwango called his wife in court as he wanted to pounce on her and applied for divorce.

Mwango told Magistrate Mary Namangala that the two had been having misunderstanding in their matrimonial home.

 They married in 2007 and have three children but dowry was not paid.

Mwango told court that they had been having marital disputes from the time they got married and that as a result he married another woman at some point but later went back to his wife.

“My wife denies me conjugal rights and says I should be sleeping with my mother whenever I feel horny. She also doesn’t cook for me and we are not talking to each other despite staying together in the same house,

“I want the court to help me reconcile with my wife because we are not living like husband and wife,” he said

In defence Wamunyima denied the allegation saying her husband usually slept out and sometime went away for four days and that brought about fights.

“Each time we sleep together he puts a blanket between us and doesn’t want me near him or to touch him. He also doesn’t support the children, he cooks food for himself and eats alone while we watch and starve and sometimes sleep with hunger,’’ she said.

And in cross examination, Mwango raised his voice towards his wife calling her a snake and a witch as she was responding to his questions.

He later insisted on having a divorce because his wife did not appreciate whatever he did for the family.

Magistrate Mwangala then ordered the transfer of the matter to the subordinate court to proceed with the matter because dowry was not paid.