A 49-year-old electrician of Ten Miles area in Lusaka has stunned the Matero Local Court after refusing to divorce his wife or end his relationship with his girlfriend, insisting that he wants to live a polygamous lifestyle.
This is in a matter where Charles Sandano has been sued by his 33-year-old wife, Ethel Mbao, who has asked the court to compel her husband to choose between their marriage and his relationship with another woman.
Appearing before Matero Local Court Magistrate Lewis Mumba, Mbao told the court that problems in their 16-year marriage began when her husband started coming home late and eventually stopped eating from home.
“Your honour, we got married in 2010 and we have six children together. I still love my husband, but I have refused to be in a polygamous marriage,” Mbao said.
She further told the court that despite the girlfriend’s family rejecting Sandano’s dowry, the man has continued pursuing the relationship.
Mbao also revealed that she has gone for two months without marital relations, adding that the situation has left her emotionally troubled.
However, in his defence, Sandano told the court that he was not willing to leave either woman, stating that he loves both and is capable of providing for them.
He disclosed that he has two children with the girlfriend, and insisted that the only challenge is his wife’s refusal to accept his desire to be in a polygamous marriage.
“It is not true that I neglect my wife or that I only leave K100 for home use. I have been with my wife for many years, and together we have acquired a house, a plot, and five vehicles,” Sandano said.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Mumba adjourned the matter to April 10 for submissions and judgment.
Source: Zambia Daily Mail
