Nambata Shipanga, the wife of renowned businessman, Martin Shipanga, applied yesterday for a restraining order against her estranged husband which is due to be heard in court this morning. She alleges that her husband, accompanied by family members, entered their common home on Tuesday and re-arranged the furniture.

City Police sources told Informanté that on Tuesday afternoon Nambata had to call on the assistance of her family and the City Police to escort her to her house after she was tipped off that her husband and his uncles went into the house, broke down the main bedroom door, removed a new bed she bought and put back the old bed.

“I found them (her 11 and 7-year old children) traumatised and really shocked. I realise that this whole issue is going too far and that my life and that of my family may be in danger. I feel intimidated and threatened,” the distressed woman told Informanté.

Martin moved out of the common home in January 2011. The couple, who married in 1995, is going through a divorce.

Her lawyer, Richard Metcalfe, confirmed the application for a protection order. “We filed all the necessary documents already and the magistrate will hear the case tomorrow (Thursday).”

Martin however denied any knowledge of the matter. “I have not been at the house or seen her for more than one year now. She’s living with her boyfriend. Why would I want to go there?” Meanwhile City Police sources also confirmed that Martin’s nephew and his son (from a pre-marital relationship) are living with the wife without her consent. The two are apparently rude to her and regard her as a foe.

Martin denied accusations that he has been instigating members of his family to drive his wife and their two children out of their common house. Nambata reports that several of Martin’s family members have repeatedly barged into their common home, claiming that Martin had sent them to make an inventory of all the furniture and other property in the house.

“I oppose any form of humiliation by Martin and his relatives. If an inventory is required, Martin must request it through the court, as is the norm,” Nambata says. “I don’t use my family against others,” Martin retorted.

Informanté is in possession of numerous threatening and defamatory letters, sms text messages and e-mails directed at Nambata from Martin Shipanga’s mistress and relatives.

Referring to the first ten years of their relationship Nambata says, “We had a good relationship and one can regard it as one of the best indeed.” But cracks in the marriage started showing at the end of 2005 when Martin reportedly started having extra-marital affairs.

“I regard the extra-marital relationship between Martin and Sisco Kalulu as the cause of the break-up of our family. He must take responsibility for his own actions and stop accusing me,” she says.