A statement which was regarded as an insult has sparked a row in a marriage, leading to the dissolution of the 15-year-old wedlock between a woman, Ruth Banda and her husband, Diton Kambunga at the Matero Local Court, Zambia.
According to Zambia Observer, Ruth filed for divorce against Diton citing disrespect for her parents after he allegedly called them dogs.
Banda also said she sued her husband for divorce because he took ownership of all the property she bought, including a house.
She said Diton, 50, claimed he owed the property because he was the one who got her a job which enabled her to earn money to buy the property.
The couple got married in 2009 and is blessed with a child.
“My husband called my parents dogs. I cannot stay with such a man,” she said.
Banda said on December 4, 2023 her husband left home around 14:00 hours claiming he was on night shift.
Banda said she was surprised that her husband returned home around 17:00 hours and started insulting her in the presence of their child and neighbours.
She said after his verbal attack on her, she decided to leave home and went to spend the night at her relative’s place.
“When I returned home the following day, I discovered that my husband had left home and gone with all our property.
“I was shocked. His mobile phone was off. I did not know where and how to find him,” she said.
Banda said that after a few days, her husband came home and claimed that her property belonged to him, since he was the one who got her a job which enabled her to buy the property.
In his statement, Diton said when he married his wife he was not working, but he managed to get her a good job.
He said his wife acquired property in secrecy and put her brother’s name on the title deeds.
In his judgment, the magistrate, Gaston Kalala noted that the couple had been having marital disputes and that their families equally failed to reconcile them.
He upheld the divorce claim and granted free divorce.
Kalala gave custody of their child to the complainant and ordered Diton to maintain the child with K500 monthly.
Kalala ordered the two to share the property which they acquired together equally.
