72-year-old man walks out on 50-year old girlfriend after cohabiting for 2 years
A 72-year-old man from Lusaka, Zambia, has left his 50-year-old girlfriend heartbroken after two years of living together, following his unfulfilled promise of marriage.
Pearson Chipuma, a grandfather living on the outskirts of Lusaka North, met Jennifer Chulu over two years ago. According to Zambia Observer, it was love at first sight for Pearson. Determined not to let her slip away, Pearson used his charm to win Jennifer over.
Jennifer, however, made it clear to Pearson that she was only interested in a serious relationship, with marriage as the goal. Pearson assured her that he also desired marriage and would send a delegation to her family to negotiate the bride price (lobola) if she moved in with him. Convinced of his sincerity, Jennifer moved in, eager to start their new life together.
However, as time passed, weeks turned into months, and months into years, with no sign of any marriage arrangements. Jennifer soon realised that two years had gone by, and Pearson had made no moves toward fulfilling his promise. To make matters worse, Pearson abruptly walked out on her just two weeks ago, leaving her devastated.
Desperate to reconcile, Jennifer took her case to the Lusaka Boma Local Court, hoping they would intervene and bring Pearson back into her life. Unfortunately for her, Senior Local Court Justice Monya Ng’andwe explained that the court could not force a reconciliation since there was no legal marriage between them. The justice also lectured Jennifer on the distinction between being a wife and a girlfriend.
Pearson, for his part, expressed surprise at being taken to court, claiming that Jennifer was merely a girlfriend, not a wife. He told the court that he had moved on from their relationship and was no longer interested in staying with her.
Jennifer, now left alone with memories of their time together, has had to come to terms with Pearson’s departure and the reality that there was no marriage to fight for.
