Ex-President Lungu’s political advisor, Zimba, others sue govt for K234 million, claim malicious imprisonment

Former president Edgar Lungu’s political advisor, Chris Zumani Zimba, and another litigant, alleged to have orchestrated the 2020 gassing incidences which sent the country into tumult, have filed a K234 million lawsuit against the State.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the Lusaka High Court, lists the Attorney-General, National Prosecution Authority, Director of Public Prosecution, Gilbert Phiri, and an officer, as well as officer, Catherine Lwimba , as defendants.

Zumani and Portiphar Gwai are demanding compensation in the total sum of K233, 780,000, for malicious arrest, prosecution, imprisonment as well as special damages in terms of loss of business.

Zumani was in May, last year, jointly charged with Gwai, Given Phiri and Marlone Banda.

Zumani is facing one count of aiding of terrorism acts while Gwai was charged with procuring of terrorism articles.

Phiri and Banda were charged with one count of possession of terrorism articles.

Trial commenced before Judge Koreen Mwenda, but the State could not prove the allegations against the four to the satisfactory of the court, leading to their acquittal on December 1, 2023.

Zumani and Gwai stated in the statement of claim that they were maliciously prosecuted despite the defendants knowing well that they had no evidence against them.

The plaintiffs contended that they suffered injury to their reputation owing to the fact that the offences they were charged with were scandalous: and damage was done to their life, limb and that their liberty was endangered and remained endangered.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.