The story about a Mzuzu-based police officer, who was allegedly caught in the act, has taken a another twist after her estranged husband issued her a three-day ultimatum to return to him or face further embarrassment.

The officer, Bertha Mthandi Chavula, said her husband, Patrick Chavula, blackmailed her by issuing threats to her since The Weekend Times published the couple's story last week.

"My husband is deliberately doing all this to embarrass me. His mission is to tarnish my image so that no other man desires me as we are on separation.

"He gave me a three-day ultimatum to return to him from the day The Weekend Times published the story about us or I would face more negative publicity.

"I think his plan is to use your publication to destroy me. He even showed that newspaper to my father who is a priest," said Bertha.

Chavula has also been barraging her with malicious text messages which were accessed by The Weekend Times.

One texts, believed to have been sent by Chavula, which Bertha forwarded to us, reads: "Ukhaula uona ngati umati ukwatiwaso mbiri yako yaipa basi ukapanda kubwelera nane uzituluka every wkend ukhaula." [If you thought you would remarry, think again. Your reputation has been damaged and if you don't come back to me, you will be appearing in the newspaper every weekend].

Another reads: "tione mamuna okukwatirayo kuti ati chani ndi news imeneyi wayaluka basi sumati, am giving u 3 dez ukapanda kubwelera kwaine uziyaluka". [If there is a man who wants to marry you, he will raise questions. You have been humiliated already, I am giving you three days and if you don't come back to me, you will continue to be humiliated].

In yet another message, Chavula compares his incarceration last week to her wife's story in the newspaper last week.

"Iwe unauza apolisi andilowetse mu cel tsono mucel ndimu news ya uhule watchuka ndi ndani? I told u kuti he who laughs last laughs best imagine cop red handed." [You told the police to lock me up. Which is more humiliating to be in a cell or appear in the 'scandal' newspaper?]

Bertha described Chavula as a 'cheat' who was using lies to destroy her reputation. She said despite Chavula's campaign of malice, her boyfriend has been by her side.

"My boyfriend stays in Lilongwe. His business associates called him to say I'm a prostitute but I thank God for such an understanding man who rubbished the claims," said Bertha.

Bertha could not comment when asked why she was seeing another man.

Chavula denied he was blackmailing his wife and when he was challenged about the text messages, he cut the line and switched off his phone.