A 29-year-old woman, Stella Mwalubanga, has asked a local court in Chelstone, Zambia, to end her marriage to Elijah Mushayabanu, alleging that her husband had been bringing other women into their home.
Mwalubanga told the court that her marital problems worsened after she stopped working following her pregnancy in 2022 and later underwent a Caesarean section.
She alleged that while she was recovering at her parents’ home, her husband became increasingly distant and showed little concern for her welfare, including failing to assist with her medical expenses.
The woman said the situation became more troubling when her husband’s younger sister moved into the home and allegedly began handling duties and receiving money that she believed should have been given to her as his wife.
According to her, her husband also complained about her illness and at one point allegedly told her to return to her parents if she could no longer cope with household responsibilities.
Mwalubanga said the relationship deteriorated further after her husband allegedly told her that “marriage is a scam” when she confronted him over his alleged involvement with another woman.
She further alleged that a neighbour later informed her that her husband was bathing with another woman and that different women frequently visited the matrimonial home.
The petitioner said she returned to the house after receiving the information and became convinced that the marriage could no longer continue.
Mushayabanu also told the court that he wanted the relationship to end, claiming that the couple had failed to maintain a peaceful marriage and had gradually become estranged.
He denied some of his wife’s allegations and accused her of leaving home at about 2am to drink with her sister when their second child was only three months old. He claimed she later returned carrying bottles of alcohol.
However, the court did not dissolve the relationship, ruling that there was no valid marriage before it to terminate because the required bride price had not been paid.
