Kasanda’s wife Lauren denies assaulting hubby’s other wife
SHADRECK Kasanda’s official wife Lauren Rhaphaelle has denied smacking her co-wife Rumbidzai Chibanda for taking over her marital obligation to feed her detained husband.
Rhaphaelle 29, of Lusaka’s Ibex Hill is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
It is alleged that the accused on August 29, 2023 assaulted Chibanda.
Kasanda’s wife pleaded not guilty to the charge before magistrate Mbuywana Sinvula.
Rhaphaelle’s legal trouble emanates from a violent clash with the gold dealer’s other woman at Lusaka Central Correctional Facility where they had both gone to visit their husband Kasanda who is detained and jointly charged with four others for espionage.
According to reports, the two engaged in a clamorous brawl, as they slapped, pinched and pulled each other’s hair forcing prison authorities to momentarily abandon their duties to separate them.
After the sparring match was ended by prison officers, defeated Chibanda rushed to Kabwata Police Station using the pathway between the correctional facility and the police camp and filed a report for assault.
After investigations, Police summoned the two rivals and effectd an arrest on Rhaphaelle on a charge of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm.
As as she was being led to detention, the Rhaphaelle almost pounced on Chibanda but was prevented by officers, after she put salt on the wound by announcing that she was a legal shareholder in Kasanda’s heart as he had also paid dowry for her as a wife.
Trial commences on November 8.
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba