A 32-year-old woman from Ngwerere township in Lusaka will be reaping what ‘her mouth had planted’ as the Matero Local Court fined her for being a moving ”encyclopedia’, unleashing well detailed and crafted insults on a neighbour she believes is having an affair with her husband.
Elesi Sakala, a member of the New Apostolic Church, is reported to have drawn inspiration from Nkana supporters, dedicated three days and nights to opening her mouth – not for eating but for hurling insults at her husband and Zelesi Phiri, 25, on suspicions that they were having an affair.
The story gets interesting, it was revealed that Sakala and Phiri shared a history as former sisters-in-law. Sakala was previously married to Phiri’s brother before moving on to her current partner.
Phiri, the complainant, alleged that while she was fetching water at a borehole one day, Sakala, who is currently pregnant, also collected water and proceeded to pour it on her own husband, who was drinking beer with friends in front of the entire community.
“Afterward, she began beating him and insulting him, telling him to take all his clothes to Mr. Kitana, my father, because that’s where his ‘prostitute’ Zeles lives,” Phiri recounted.
Sakala reportedly accused Phiri of being HIV positive, claiming she was bewitched to remain single, and continued to insult her while physically assaulting her husband.
Phiri described how Sakala’s verbal attacks persisted for three consecutive days and nights, like health workers making public announcements for a particular campaign.
In her defense, Sakala admitted to the insults and physical altercation with her husband but claimed it was because he had been neglecting her during her pregnancy to stay with his mistress.
She acknowledged insulting Phiri but insisted it was only for two days and that she did not mention Phiri’s name.
Sakala argued that her husband, being quiet and non-confrontational, did not retaliate and was later persuaded to apologise to Sakala after the insults.
After reviewing the evidence, Magistrate Harriet Mulenga ruled in favour of compensation for the defamation and ordered Sakala to pay Phiri K1,000.
“Someone does not insult for two or three days without a specific target. You clearly had a target, which was Sakala, due to your suspicions about her involvement with your husband. If you didn’t insult her, why would your husband apologise to her?” Mulenga questioned.
She also criticised Sakala’s behaviour, questioning the respect that would be afforded to a husband who is publicly insulted and beaten.
The Magistrate further advised that if Phiri was indeed involved with Sakala’s husband, she should cease the relationship immediately.
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba, September 17, 2024
