. Mutubila

By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –
FORMER deputy High Commissioner to Italy, Frank Mutubila’s wife Evelyn has filed a cross petition asking the Lusaka High Court to divorce her from her husband citing physical and verbal abuse.
Evelyn who has denied committing adultery to get pregnant from an Italian man as alleged by Mr Mutibila said she had at one point reported her husband to Italian police authorities for assaulting her.
She denied conceiving without Mr Mutubila’s knowledge and consent as the couple had lived for many years without a child.
Evelyn submitted that the issue of exploring other options for her to fall pregnant was consented to by her husband.
She admitted in her answer and cross petition divorce filed in court that their marriage had broken down irretrievably but denied that the breakdown was caused by her alleged infidelity.
She denied that she has contributed nothing to the maintenance and upkeep of the official residence in Rome, Italy because Mr Mutubila wholeheartedly agreed and supported her pursuit of her PhD programme knowing full well that it would entail her staying away from their matrimonial home.
Evelyn explained that prior to the couple moving to Italy, it was agreed that they would make further attempts to have children because they had no child of their own and that she would pursue her PhD studies while developing their properties in Zambia.
She denied being disrespectful and uncaring to Mr Mutubila and that if anything, it was him who had been verbally and physically abusing her.
When they moved to Italy, they sought medical assistance which revealed that he had low sperm count and it was agreed by the couple that they explore the option of vitro fertilisation or artificial insemination.
In July 2014 while on vacation in Zambia, Evelyn brought up the issue of having a child and Mr Mutubila told her to do as she pleased.
She alleged that Mr Mutubila’s family threatened to find him a younger wife who could bear him twins adding that he often stayed away from their matrimonial home opting to stay in a hotel.
She has asked the Lusaka High Court to grant her maintenance pending suit and thereafter periodical payments secured provision and lump-sum for herself.