Court sentences woman to 15 years over husband’s death in Lusaka

A Lusaka woman has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for causing the death of her husband, whose skeletal remains were discovered in their home more than a year after his death, the Lusaka High Court ruled on Wednesday.

Sylvia Mutaba, 52, was convicted of gross negligence under Penal Code Section 210 after the court heard that her husband, George Kalaba, a former Zanaco Bank employee, had been gravely ill and did not receive medical care while living at their home in the Luangwa Garden compound.

Court proceedings revealed that Kalaba’s health had deteriorated over several months in 2023.

Friends testified that he suffered persistent headaches, chest pains, and became unable to walk, while Mutaba reportedly denied him meals and failed to seek medical attention.

The husband’s skeletal remains were discovered on their matrimonial bed, partially covered, in a room described as neatly arranged.

A child witness testified that a birthday party had taken place in the same home while the remains were present.

Mutaba, who has four daughters aged 16 to 27, apologized in court to her late husband’s family, her own relatives, and the nation.

She had previously testified that she had relied on prayer rather than medical care.

Judge Anne Malata-Ononuju ruled that religious belief did not exempt Mutaba from the legal duty to provide care.

The court determined that her failure to act led to Kalaba’s death on November 21, 2023.

The four daughters were previously held for six months following the family’s arrest, with three of the eldest pleading guilty to failing to report their father’s death.

Mutaba’s sentence will take effect from her arrest date on January 14, 2025.

Davies Kalaba, the couple’s eldest son, told the media that he had forgiven Mutaba but expressed concern that the children had become estranged from the wider family.

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