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What began as a quiet family arrangement over farmland in Mumbwa has now escalated into a legal battle at the Lusaka High Court, where three women have sued their senior co-wife and her son over alleged illegal subdivision of land left by their late husband.
The plaintiffs, Chipo Madau, Atalia Siwawa, and Beauty Madau—who were the second, third, and fourth wives, respectively—have named their senior wife, Thandiwe Siwawa, and her son, Nkosana Matanda, as defendants.
According to a statement of claim filed in court, all the parties are residents of Mumbwa in Central Province and were legally married to the late farmer, Mutelo Matanda, who had allocated land to each of his wives before his death.
The plaintiffs alleged that Thandiwe, as the first wife, together with her son Nkosana, began subdividing portions of land that were meant for the other wives while leaving their own share intact.
They further claimed that when asked to produce land documents, Thandiwe initially said they were lost but later presented a police report instead.
The women told the court they no longer trusted Thandiwe’s management of the estate, citing failed family meetings aimed at halting the alleged illegal subdivisions.
They also accused Nkosana of sidelining them from developments taking place on the disputed land.
In their claim, the plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to restrain the defendants from further subdividing the property until the case is fully determined.
They also want the court to compel Thandiwe to release all documents relating to the estate and to order the defendants to remain on their respective portions.
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