TIRED of being a punching bag, Totiwe Tembo has begged the Lusaka High Court to save her from the beatings of PF commander Francis Muchemwa through divorce.
In her petition Tembo said she tied the knot with Muchemwa 10 year ago on January 12, 2013 at the Registrar’s office at the Civic Center in Lusaka.
Totiwe who is a customer service care representative at ZESCO disclosed that in May 2022 she was forced to abandon her matrimonial home in Silverest which is now under the control of the Anti-Corruption Commission, and vowed never to return on reasons that Muchemwa has been issuing her with death threats.
She said their home is hostile as Muchemwa is verbally and physically abusive.
Totiwe disclosed that Muchemwa has labelled her a harlot and has been accusing her of having extra marital affairs with his friends.
She recounted that they once had a marital dispute and Muchemwa brutalized her in the presence of her older brother and domestic workers.
“The home environment has been toxic which has created constant feelings of internal unease and anxiety on the petitioner which at some point made her start having suicidal thoughts until she was counselled,” Totiwe said.
“The respondent has no respect, love and affection for the petitioner, such that he shouts and ridicules her in the presence of other people.”
Totiwe said Muchemwa bulldozed their children aged 10 and five to show him directions to her house and has been showing up unexpectedly at her home just to stir up confusion and unleash the mother of all martial arts which he acquired whilst he served as second in command at intercity bus terminus.
She said she had to seek asylum at one one of the neighbors’ homes and informed her sister who escorted her to woodlands police station to report the incident.
Totiwe said Muchemwa always threatens to kill her and later commit suicide prompting her to get a restraining order against him as she now fears for her life.
“The respondent has of late been making false social media publications stating that the petitioner wants him dead when he’s actually the one who has been issuing murder threats stating that he will later commit suicide as he has nothing to lose,” said Totiwe.
“Further ,the petitioner is in possession of video recordings,audio recordings and other electronic evidence to prove the respondent’s unreasonable behavior at the trial of the matter. The respondent’s behavior affects the petitioner negatively and it’s proving to be dangerous to her general welfare.”
She prayed that she be granted judicial separation and custody of their children.
Totiwe also requested that she be given alimony for the benefit of the children of the family.
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba August 16, 2023.
