Ndola, Zambia – Gertrude Ngoma, a 26-year-old nurse from the Mushili area, has taken legal action against her former fiancé, Herbert Salaliki, a 28-year-old teacher. Ngoma has accused Salaliki of taking eight years to marry her, despite promising to do so.

Ngoma, who appeared before the Kabushi Local Court, expressed her frustration with Salaliki’s refusal to marry her. “He has wasted my time… I have turned down many marriage proposals from more than 10 men in respect of him, but he is now refusing to marry me,” Ngoma said in court.

According to Ngoma, she had a child with Salaliki, but the two have never lived together as husband and wife. Ngoma claimed that despite dowry being paid, Salaliki had never been serious about their relationship. “Your honour, he has never been serious. That is why I brought him to court because I deserve to know the way forward and my future with him. Every time we meet, he demands sex, of which I give him, but he has no interest in marrying me,” Ngoma tearfully told the court.

Ngoma’s case has highlighted the issue of men who delay or refuse to marry their partners, leaving women in a state of uncertainty and frustration. In Zambia, marriage is highly valued, and many women face societal pressure to get married and start a family.

The court is yet to make a ruling on the matter.