“My Wife Sleeps with My 77-Year-Old Landlord,” Claims 44-Year-Old Man in Court

A 44-year-old man has accused his 77-year-old landlord of engaging in an affair with his wife. The allegations surfaced during a defamation lawsuit hearing at the Matero Local Court, where the older landlord, Kaluba Friday, was seeking damages for defamation from his former tenant, Luckson Mwanza.

Kaluba, a retiree from Lusaka’s Matero area, claimed he had rented his property to Mwanza since 2018 until last month, when their relationship soured over unpaid rent. In court, he stated that after contacting Mwanza regarding the outstanding payment, he was met with a shocking accusation: that he had been sleeping with Mwanza’s wife. Kaluba vehemently denied the allegations, prompting him to pursue legal action against Mwanza.

Mwanza, who works as an excavator operator in Chipata district, countered Kaluba’s claims by asserting that his accusations were rooted in truth. He explained that due to the demands of his job, he often left his wife at home with their 12-year-old daughter, who is also the landlord’s stepdaughter. Mwanza recounted receiving reports from a neighbor who claimed to have witnessed his wife bringing men into their home during his absences.

In a dramatic turn, Mwanza alleged that he caught his wife in the act of adultery upon returning home. He also revealed that during a trip to Mazabuka, his daughter informed him that Kaluba frequently visited their home at night, prompting her mother to send her to sleep elsewhere to keep her from witnessing the encounters. The girl testified in private during the court proceedings, stating, “Mum would tell me to leave the bedroom and sleep in the sitting room each time Bashikulu (grandpa) came.”

Despite the weight of the testimony, Kaluba denied the allegations, suggesting that the girl was being manipulated by her father. He maintained that he had a girlfriend and was not involved with Mwanza’s wife.

Following deliberations, Magistrate Lewis Mumba ruled in favor of Mwanza, concluding that Kaluba’s claim lacked merit. The court emphasized that the young girl’s testimony was credible and consistent, stating, “This girl is too young to cook up such a story. She repeated the same details, showing she was not coached.” The magistrate further admonished Kaluba for taking advantage of his position as a landlord.

In the end, the court dismissed Kaluba’s defamation lawsuit, indicating that his actions had contributed to the unraveling of the marriage, and suggested he refrain from exploiting his authority over tenants in the future.