A LUSAKA woman turned into a four-year-old kindergarten pupil, rolling on the ground in tears as the court dismissed her case for coming to the session drunk.
However, her tears were not because she regretted being drunk but the fact that she wanted the case to be finalises as it was postponed several times.
This is in a case where 27-year-old Monica Mumba claimed that Tanny Shasha aged 25 and her mother had stolen her phone worth K3000 and beat her up after abruptly terminating her employment.
Mumba who hails from Garden compound brought her case to the Matero Local Court in an attempt to recover the money and items she believed were rightfully hers and stolen by her former employers.
Mumba was dismissed from work at the restaurant being run by the defendants because she allegedly lacked professionalism.
Reports indicate that Mumba would frequently arrive for work in an intoxicated state, a habit that eventually led to her dismissal from the job.
After losing her job, Mumba was determined to seek justice through the court, alleging that she had been physically abused and robbed by her former employers but despite her initial efforts, Mumba’s case was repeatedly delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.
Finally, on the day of her long-awaited hearing, Mumba arrived sober in the courtroom yesterday morning and seemingly ready to present her case but as the trial was delayed due to several court cases, she became restless and stepped out in order for her to take a break, perhaps in an effort to calm her nerves.
But when she returned her breath filled the courtroom with free perfume, while she could barely stand as she fell prey to the very demons that had jeopardised her employment in the first place – being drunk to stupor.
But senior Magistrate, Lewis Mumba wasted no time in passing a ruling that effectively put her legal battle on hold.
The court declared that the matter would not proceed until Mumba sobered up, essentially turning the tables on the self-proclaimed ‘Drunken Champion’ and forcing her to confront the realities of her alcohol problem.
Magistrate Mumba adjourned the case to June 6, 2025, effectively giving Mumba a chance to sober up and present her case with a clear head.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Mumba exited the courtroom as she was no longer able to contain her tears.
“Nabwela kangati kuno zoona, bangochita adjourn mulandu, nizaleka kubwelako (how many times have I been coming here and they keep adjourning the matter, I will stop coming,” she lamented.
As her tears flowed freely, she became unable to control her bladder, releasing the Victoria falls on herself.
Pictures and story by Sharon Zulu
Kalemba May 28, 2025
