A 45-year-old woman from Lusaka has endured nearly a decade of a long-distance marriage, patiently waiting for her husband to return while he largely ignored their union.
Misozi Nyau, 48, found her love for Angaletha Banda, 52, dwindling over time, leading her to finally seek a divorce after realizing there was no romance left in their relationship.
A Marriage in Decline
The Matero Local Court heard that Banda, a bricklayer from Kabanana, abandoned his wife and children in 2016 to pursue relationships with two other women.
He neglected his responsibilities as the head of the household, even delegating the task of sending money to Nyau to his side partners whenever he sensed that his children were hungry.
Nyau expressed her frustration in court, stating that Banda stopped being intimate with her at a time when she felt life was just beginning at age 40.
“I have waited for him for a long time and now I am tired. He does not even support his children financially; I suffer alone to feed them,” she lamented.
Seeking Justice
Nyau explained that since Banda left, he has never attempted to reconnect with her physically or emotionally.
Instead, he would merely pass through her house as if she were a neighbor.
“Sometimes, his girlfriends call me to say, ‘Your husband told me you are hungry with the children, so here is some money to buy food.’ But I cannot continue like this. That is why I have come to court so that the court can help us put an order on how he will maintain his children since he denied me already.”
When Banda took the stand, he showed no remorse or interest in mending their marriage. He admitted that marital disputes had driven him into the arms of another woman and stated he wanted nothing to do with Nyau.
The Court’s Verdict
Magistrate Harriet Mulenga reprimanded Banda for his actions and ultimately decided to dissolve the marriage.
She posed a pointed question:
“If you don’t sleep with your wife for eight years, who do you expect to sleep with her? Did you want to wait for her until she made a mistake so that you could sue her for adultery while you were enjoying?”
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Magistrate Mulenga upheld Nyau’s claim for divorce and ordered Banda to compensate her with K28,000—equivalent to K1,000 for each year he wasted her time.
The court also granted custody of their five children to Nyau and mandated that Banda pay K1,000 annually for child maintenance, subject to yearly review.
“The house shall not be sold. The court has given it to the five children that the couple has together,” ordered Magistrate Mulenga.
This case highlights the complexities of marital relationships and the importance of accountability within them.
As Nyau seeks a fresh start, it serves as a reminder of the emotional toll that neglect and infidelity can take on families.
Source: Kalemba