A married woman of Chazanga caught in adultery tried to claim temporary insanity when he appeared in the Matero Local Court. But the packed courtroom only saw the ridiculous side of her claim as it erupted in laughter. Wanzai Mulimwa, 23, told the court that she was not in her right frame of mind when she slept with another man while her husband was away for work. Mulimwa was testifying in a case in which her husband, Daniel Phiri, 35, sued Junior Bilika, 23, for adultery.

The couple got married in 2012 and have three children together. Mulimwa told the court: “Bilika abducted me when my husband was away and took me to his farm where we had sex.” But in defence, Bilika admitted sleeping with Mulimwa but denied committing adultery. He told the court that he had sex with Mulimwa because she told him that she was not married. “I asked Mulimwa on five occasions if she was married but she denied, she even gave me her father’s phone to call and confirm,” Bilika said.

He also told the court that since he had no money to pay dowry, he eloped with Mulimwa to his farm in 10 Miles area where he had sex with her for four days. Earlier, Phiri told the court that he was tipped by neighbours that his wife had eloped with Bilika. He told the court that he tried to phone Mulimwa on several occasions to find where she was, but her phone was off.

“I abandoned my work in Kabwe and decided to come back home, I did not find my wife at home. My neighbours told me that they saw my wife packing her clothes and leaving the matrimonial home,” Phiri said. In passing judgment, magistrate Pauline Newa, sitting with Harriet Mulenga, adjourned the matter to a later date. The court ordered Phiri to bring documentation as proof that dowry was paid