A 16-year-long marriage, once believed to be eternal, met its tragic end when a Lusaka police officer stumbled upon his wife in a passionate embrace with another man at a named nightclub in Matero.
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On a fateful night, 34-year-old Cecilia Maale, a nurse by profession, decided to stray from her wifey duties and responsibilities, indulging in a night of fun and celebration at a local nightclub in the company of her friend, and later found herself drawn into the company of a wealthy suitor who gladly picked up the tab, leading to an evening of flirting and physical intimacy.
After seeing his rib almost fitting in another man’s chest, 41-year-old Canicious Kabaso found his way to the Matero Local Court faster than the abnormal track could reach Lusaka, reminding him of all the thousands he spend to educate Maale’s club addicted waste.
At the court, Kabaso sued for divorce before Senior Magistrate Lewis Mumba after a marriage separation of 21 months.
Kabaso reported that after educating and helping Maale find employment, she began frequenting nightclubs in Lusaka, acting as a brand ambassador for the city’s nightlife.
In his testimony, Kabaso recounted that one fateful night, Maale’s widow friend arrived at the couple’s matrimonial home to visit Kabaso’s ailing mother-in-law.
Kabaso, unaware of his wife’s impending betrayal, left for work, only to receive a phone call from Maale at around 19:00 hours, asking him to pick her up from a club and when he arrived at the club, he discovered her seated next to a mysterious man, her widow friend accompanying them both.
He claimed that he was then offered a seat away from his wife and her companions and after sometime, Kabaso and the widow friend went to the counter, where he noticed Maale and the man engaging in intimate behaviour when he looked behind.
“I went back immediately and as I approached them, the man left. I asked her point-blank why she was flirting with another man, and she replied by saying that I was being too harsh on her, even asking me if I expected her to announce to everyone in the club that she was a married woman,” he said.
“I then grabbed her and we returned home, where we had a heated argument which escalated into fighting like wild animals. I was so angry and hurt that I bit her eyes, and she did the same to me.”
In her defense, Maale accused Kabaso of a history of aggressive behaviour, claiming that his short temper often leads to fights, including one incident where he allegedly brought another woman into their shared bed.
“I believe our marriage should be dissolved because Kabaso’s temper is uncontrollable, and I fear for my safety. He might kill me one day if things continue like this. I have no faith that he can change.“
Presiding over the case, magistrate Lewis Mumba granted the couple divorce, citing the troubling presence of violence in their marriage as grounds for the separation.
The magistrate warned Maale of the role her behaviour had played in contributing to the breakdown of the union, urging her to reflect on her actions and learn from this painful chapter in her life.
“It is crucial to remember that when you enter into this covenant, certain behaviours must be abandoned. You must make compromises for your partner and refrain from engaging in actions that could harm the union. This divorce is a heartbreaking outcome, but it serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the sanctity of marriage. Marriage is a sacred institution that requires sacrifice and understanding,” stated magistrate Mumba.
Furthermore, Kabaso was ordered to maintain the children with K1,500 and neither party was awarded compensation.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba August 13, 2025
