Sorry your honour, but she also beats me back when I’m beating her says violent hubby

A 32-YEAR-OLD woman of Lusaka’s Kabangwe area pleaded with the court to divorce her from her violent husband before she died in his hands.

“Your honour he will kill me,” cried Charity Phiri.

This is after she sued her 35 year old husband of 11 years, Howard Shikombwe, who is an engineer, for divorce in the Matero local court.

While the court was in session, it was discovered that dowry was not paid from the onset of their marriage, therefore, the court could not proceed to hear the case for divorce.

However, Phiri who wanted to be separated from her abusive husband permanently was accorded the time to tell her story after begging.

“I cant go back home with him today because I might just die today. He beats me too much. Just yesterday, he beat me up because he heard I was divorcing him, chased me from our house with our three children, and made us sleep in an uncompleted building,” Phiri narrated.

Phiri told the court that while her and her children were trying to brave the cold night, unsatisfied Shikombwe followed them around 02:00 hours to beat her again.

“I had to call my neighbour for help who saved me and the children and gave us a roof for the night, because sometimes, he chases us even for one week” said Phiri as she begged the court to divorce her.

Magistrate Harriet Mulenga, rebuked Shikombwe.

“You give birth to three children and then you make them sleep in the cold, you abuse them and make them suffer? Is that okay? And on top of that you make your wife a punching bag? No that is uncalled for and unfair,” said Magistrate Mulenga.

“Sorry your honor, sorry. But she also beats me back when I am besting her,” said Shikombwe to defend himself.

The court further instructed Phiri’s Aunt to buy Shikombwe summons for dowry payment so that the court can begin to talk about their divorce after he had paid something.

Meanwhile, the wife puncher, Shikombwe was detained by the court waiting for a possible night out in police cells.

“You will need to feel how your wife and three children feel when you lock them up to sleep in the cold because that is inhuman,” said Magistrate Mulenga.

By Buumba Mwitumwa

Kalemba June 7, 2024