The Matero Local Court has heard a case in which a woman accused her daughter-in-law of insulting her on Christmas Day while playing the song Nalitumpa Ine.

Bertha Masuku, 55, of Apollo Compound in Lusaka, told the court that her daughter-in-law and neighbour, Anna Nkandu, 31, frequently played disrespectful music within their shared premises despite their family relationship. Masuku said the incident that led her to court occurred on Christmas Day when Nkandu returned home around 23:00 playing Nalitumpa Ine, allegedly mentioning Masuku by name and insulting her.

Masuku testified that Nkandu shouted insults outside the house, calling her a dog and accusing her of raising a son without manners. She said she wanted to confront Nkandu but was restrained by her husband. Masuku added that she did not understand why she was involved, stating that if there had been a disagreement between Nkandu and her son, she was unaware of it.

She further alleged that Nkandu made threats against her and continued to insult her despite her being a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

In her defence, Nkandu admitted to using insults but denied mentioning her mother-in-law’s name, saying the remarks were directed at Masuku’s son. Nkandu told the court that she was reacting to an incident in which Masuku’s youngest son, Dumiso, allegedly assaulted her younger sister. She said she acted in defence of her family and that the insults were not aimed at her mother-in-law.

After hearing testimony from both parties and their witnesses, the court found that Nkandu had indeed insulted her mother-in-law.

Magistrate Lewis Mumba advised the two women to resolve the matter as a family, noting the relationship between them. He ordered Nkandu to apologise to her in-laws and emphasised the need for discipline and reconciliation. The magistrate stated that he would have fined Nkandu K5,000 were it not for the child who links the two families, adding that reconciliation was in the best interest of all involved.