Malawi Attorney General, No to Safe Sex-Impregnates married woman....

 
Malawi News 22 October 22-28, 2005
By Caroline Somanje

Attorney General [AG], Ralph Kasambara yesterday morning failed to appear before Blantyre Magistrate's Court to answer charges of impregnating 22-year told Rubina Kawonga who has since sued him. Kawonga, who is married to Thomson Kawonga, is seeking money for the maintenance of her unborn baby boy and herself following the"disappearance of the AG since four months into the pregnancy." She is now eight months pregnant.

Rubina has since been kicked out of her parents' home in Mpingwe where she had been staying since her husband left for the UK in February 2003. Her husband has since threatened to divorce her in February next year when he comes to visit and take custody of their matrimonial child, a two-year-old boy and Kawonga's first born.

A court summons dated September 13, 2005, and signed by Chief Resident Magistrate David Kadwa commanded Kasambara to appear before the Court at 9 hours in order for the Court to adjudicate on the matter. After an hour of waiting for Kasambara to show up, Kadwa privately called Rubina to his Chambers where he told her that the AG failed to make it and that his Lawyer, Chifundo Ngwira, would Represent him instead.

The Blantyre Magistrate's Court started hearing the Case in Camera in the afternoon yesterday and Reporters were not let in and neither were they allowed to Report on the proceedings. But in an interview at the Court yesterday morning, Rubina, accompanied by two friends said she had been rendered destitute and is currently staying with a friend who is not ready to look after her and the baby once it is born.

"Since my pregnancy, I cannot afford Ante-natal care therefore I do not go to the hospital, I do not have a single nappy or vest yet my baby is due next few months and I used my other child's maintenance money from my husband to buy maternity wear.

"All I am asking for is Financial help because I quit my job after he promised to fend for me. He promised me a Car, house and care in case I became pregnant only to abandon me now," said Kawonga. She said Kasambara treated her so well at the beginning and she saw no reason to doubt and even "started falling in love with him".

Rubina is, among other things, seeking financial support for the purchase of a residential house, hospital expenses, education expenses for the offspring till it is 21, Life Insurance Cover for herself and the offspring, damages and any other relief as the Court deems fit.

Rubina [Nee Alibaba] says she met the AG at Blue Elephant Club on February 13, 2004 where Kasambara obtained her Cell phone number. She fell pregnant in March.