NON-PAYMENT OF DOWRY KNOCKS OFF DIVORCE CASE
Written by Millennium on August 16, 2019
DIANA NSOFWA writes
A DIVORCE matter that came before the Boma Local Court has been thrown out because dowry was not paid.
Pascal Muke of Barlastone sued his wife Sarah Makasa,27, of Zingalume for divorce but their application was dismissed by the court after it was established that dowry was not paid and the two were merely cohabiting.
The two have three children together.
Muke told magistrate Prudence Bwalya that Makasa was an alcohol habitual drinker.
“I impregnated her in 2008 and we lost our first child as we sat down as a family I agreed to marry her. We used to live well until when she started drinking alcohol and sniffing nsunko three years ago. Whenever we have a small argument instead of us talking about it she would share it with her friends,
“I took her back to her parents to learn how to look after her family. After two months she went back to her old self. I even found nsunko that she had hidden and when she saw that I found it she ran to her friend’s house,” Muke said
He later realized that their marriage was not going anywhere. I just want to divorce,” said Muke
In defence Makasa told the court that Muke was violent man who constantly beat her.
“I have stayed with him for 11 years and he has just wanted to divorce me. He comes home late at 04.oo and when he finds the gate locked he would jump the fence and beat me up,
“My mother was staying with us once and he brought another woman and when she confronted him he beat her up as well.
She said her mother asked him to give them transport so that she could leave with her.
He then told her that no man could sleep with her because she was too old.
“Whenever we argue he would say I am dirty and that he should have proposed love to my friend the one I live with. I just want him to give me my youngest child he can remain with the other two because they are older and I am not working,” said Makasa
But Magistrate Bwalya said that if dowry was not paid there was no marriage as the two were lovers just cohabiting and proceeded to dismiss the application for divorce.
