LUSAKA - The Matero Local Court has dissolved the marriage of a Lusaka couple after a husband admitted fathering a child outside wedlock and insisted he no longer wished to remain in the relationship.
The court heard that Esther Mulenga, 43, was sued for divorce by her husband, James Ndhlovu, 45, following years of marital disputes stemming from his extramarital affair.
Mrs. Mulenga told the court that the couple married in 2010 and lived peacefully until 2022, when her husband began working as a keyboard player at Children of Grace Pentecostal Church in Chipata Compound.
She alleged that while serving at the church, Mr. Ndhlovu began a relationship with a church member identified as Wendy Nguvulu, who later gave birth to his child.
Mrs. Mulenga testified that Ms. Nguvulu telephoned her in 2023 to disclose the affair and later interrupted a phone conversation with her husband, shouting that she should "leave my man alone" and divorce him.
She further told the court that her husband became distant, frequently stayed away from home, rejected meals she prepared and expressed that he was no longer interested in the marriage.
Mrs. Mulenga said she sought intervention from church leaders in an effort to save the marriage, but reconciliation efforts were unsuccessful.
In his testimony, Mr. Ndhlovu acknowledged having a child outside the marriage but told the court he wanted the marriage dissolved because his wife had failed to forgive him.
Mrs. Mulenga said she was willing to forgive her husband if he apologised, but Mr. Ndhlovu maintained that his decision to end the marriage was final.
After hearing both parties, Magistrate Harriet Mulenga granted the divorce, ruling that the marriage had irretrievably broken down.
The court ordered that household property be shared equally and directed Mr. Ndhlovu to pay K20,000 in compensation for adultery. He was also ordered to pay K1,500 per month in child maintenance.
Source: Kalemba | By: Catherine Pule