A 35-year-old Zingalume woman has dragged three of her neighbors to court for accusing her of scrubing away her natural skin with lightening products and comparing her to a certain Kabwata serial bleacher hairdresser, saying the two must be siblings because of their matching skin tone.
Sylvia Chileshe, whose Bemba intonation was challenged by fellow Bembas to the point of shocking her ancestors, decided that the matter was too big to settle on her own, so she took it to the law.
This in case that landed before Magistrate Harriet Mulenga at the Matero Local Court, where Chileshe demanded compensation for insults she allegedly endured from 18-year-old Joseph Mwila, Grace Mwila, 21, and Margret Mwila, 21, all of whom are siblings and come from the same household.
It is believed that the altercation began last week Thursday when Joseph reportedly insulted Chileshe’s eight year old son, even going as far as calling him ugly headed.
When Chileshe confronted Joseph, he allegedly responded rudely, claiming he would turn her son into blue-black starch.
Chileshe told the court that Joseph has been a master in insulting her for sometime despite her having treated him like a son, as he repeatedly told others that she uses sukuluza, has cracked heels and looks dirty and disoriented.
“I threatened to report him to the police for being a drug dealer but he insulted me, claiming I sleep around with policemen. He then called his sisters who came and hurled insults on my daughter and I, alleging that I told Grace she is barren. When Grace confronted me, she even asked to borrow my husband to test if she truly is barren,” lamented Chileshe.
“They all then claimed that ndine osweta pamenso but kumatako kuli black (my face is light while my bums are black)”.
When called to respond to the allegations, Joseph claimed that Chileshe started the insults, calling her a son of a dog and threatening to use a needle on his face to mark him or teach him a lesson hence, that prompted him to baptise her with insults.
Grace on the other hand alleged that Chileshe has been calling her a ‘ngomwa,’ mocking her for being barren, and cursing that she would never have children.
“I didn’t insult her, I only said I will hit her because I was frustrated. I couldn’t actually harm her but I was just angry about what she had said to my sister and brother,” confessed Margret.
After hearing from all parties, Magistrate Mulenga shifted her focus from the insults to a more concern, Joseph’s alleged involvement in drug dealing.
She then questioned Joseph about the allegations but he denied any involvement, insisting that it was one of his friends in his circle identified as Nsamba, who is the actual drug dealer.
The magistrate then adjourned the matter to Friday, ordering Joseph to appear with Nsamba, after which submissions will be heard and judgement delivered.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba November 19, 2025
