A 23-year-old woman of Lusaka’s Mikango area has been dragged to court for allegedly beating another woman over a man.

In this matter, Mary Salusungwa is charged with assault.

Particulars of the offence allege that on February 8, this year, in Lusaka, Salusungwa assaulted Constance Phiri, 31, and occasioned her actual bodily harm.

And when the matter came up on Tuesday before Lusaka Magistrate Nsunge Chanda, an officer who executed a warrant against Salusungwa, told the court that Phiri was fighting for her man.

When Magistrate Chanda asked Salusungwa if what the officer was saying was true, the accused said yes.

At this point, Magistrate Chanda asked that the man, who the two women were fighting over, be brought before her to explain.

She then asked the said man, only identified as Nyirenda, if it was true that the two women were fighting for him, to which he admitted.

Nyirenda then explained to the court that the complainant Phiri, whom he referred to as his first wife, was upset after he informed her that he was going to marry Salusungwa whom he met, when he relocated to Lusaka with his family.

He said he had earlier warned Phiri that he would marry another person if he she did not change her behaviour.

Nyirenda added that his wife had been going to confront Salusungwa since then.

He said he received a call from Salusungwa who informed him that his wife was at her place insulting her.

Nyirenda said he called his wife and asked her to leave, but added that he received another call in which he was informed that his wife was fighting with Salusungwa.

When Magistrate Chanda asked if he had also married Salusungwa, Nyirenda admitted and added that unlike his wife, Salusungwa was a good communicator.

He further disclosed that he was tired of his marriage with Phiri.

Magistrate Chanda then warned Salusungwa, who is on police bond, never to fight Phiri, but report to the police if she went to her house.

The matter comes up on September 16 for trial.