02/11/2025
A 30-YEAR OLD woman from Kitweâs Mindolo sued her sister-in law, Nkumbi Phiri, for allegedly tattooing her three-year-old daughter without parental consent.
Harriet Chitalu told Senior Magistrate Austin Banji that her daughter had fallen ill with diarrhoea on October 2.
Separated from her husband at the time, she contacted him to inform him over their childâs condition.
Days later, she was shocked when her husband called to say that his sister, Phiri, had tattooed the child without consulting either parent.
âI was devastated. I didnât even know Nkumbi was related to my husband. I thought she was just someone he was having an affair with,â Chitalu said.
She recounted how she had never given permission for any medical or traditional intervention involving tattoos.
Chitalu questioned why Phiri would take such a drastic step without consulting her, especially given the childâs young age.
Phiri, 30, admitted to tattooing the child but insisted she had done so with the fatherâs full consent.
She explained that she had taken the child from her brother, who was unwell, and brought her home.
There, two elderly women allegedly told her that the childâs illness was due to the motherâs immoral behaviour, claiming that Chitaluâs alleged promiscuity had spiritually affected the child.
âOne of the women introduced me to a traditional healer. He prescribed herbs and a tattooing ritual to cleanse the child. I informed my brother, and he agreed. He even sent money for the treatment,â Phiri said.
Phiri said the herbs were administered through porridge and the tattoos were part of the healing process. She insisted that her actions were motivated by concern for the childâs well being, not malice.
âI did what I did to help her,â Phiri said, kneeling before the court.
âI agree I was wrong to proceed without the motherâs consent. I am asking for forgiveness,â she said.
Phiri denied any romantic involvement with her brother, expressing shock at Chitaluâs accusations.
She said she had always considered herself part of the family and was hurt by the allegations. Magistrate Banji adjourned the case briefly to allow both parties time to reflect.
When the matter resumed, Chitalu surprised the court by opting to withdraw the case.
âI still feel betrayed. but I donât want to escalate this further. My daughter is better now, and I hope we can move forward,â she said.
Magistrate Banji closed the case, urging both women to prioritise the childâs well-being and to communicate better in the future.
-Zambia Daily Mail
