Matero Local Court in Zambia ordered a man to purchase his wife chicken and potatoes from the popular restaurant Hungry Lion after resolving a dispute between the couple.
Mumba Simwanza filed a lawsuit against Bridget Simazembwe when he grew weary of her spending so much time away from home on business ventures.
Bridget told the court that she was compelled to work diligently because her spouse refused to assume responsibility for paying their children’s college tuition.
Bridget explained that her husband operates a store and collects rent from their nine tenants, yet he does not pay their child’s tuition.
The magistrate, Harriet Mulenga, asked Mumba if he wanted his wife to cease conducting business, to which he initially responded affirmatively but later recanted.
Since he didn’t pay, I do—Wife
“She shouldn’t cease conducting business, but she should strike a balance between her professional and domestic obligations.
“Because she sells alcohol, she must leave our marital home for an extended period of time,” he explained.
Bridget, however, claimed she fled the house at approximately 03:00 and returned at night.
She stated that their marital residence is in Zeko Kangwa, where she went daily to sell alcohol at her mother’s house in Lilanda.
Mumba was criticized by Mulenga for failing to pay his children’s school fees.
She reminded him that his care in old age will be provided by his own offspring.
“You and your companion should share expenses. If she writes down K200 and you add K300, you create a budget; this is what loving couples do. Selfishness is destroying a great number of marriages.
“There are many cases of divorce because individuals are self-centered and do not care about their offspring. Why should these infants endure pain due to selfishness?” Mulenga inquired.
She reconciled the couple and instructed Mumba to pay his wife’s court costs and purchase chicken and fries for her.