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.