Sata’s defamation case adjourned to tomorrow

Sata’s defamation case adjourned to tomorrow
By Namatama Mundia
Mon 20 Sep. 2010, 14:20 CAT

THE Lusaka High Court has adjourned to tomorrow the case where PF leader Michael Sata has sued former party secretary general Edward Mumbi for defamation after the defence raised preliminary issues. This is in a matter where Sata is demanding payment of damages for defamation and embarrassment caused in the eyes of reasonable or right thinking members of society.

In an interview after judge Evans Hamaundu adjourned the matter which was in chambers, Sata’s lawyer Wynter Kabimba confirmed that the matter was adjourned after Mumbi’s lawyers raised preliminary issues.

He said Mumbi wants Sata to produce before court his bank accounts, party accounts and personal accounts.

Sata in a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court in November last year prayed for damages in view of the shock and the ridicule he and his family suffered as a result of Mumbi’s publications of totally false allegations.

Sata stated that Mumbi was appointed PF secretary general on July 13, 2007 but that he was removed from the position in November 2008 and that Mumbi was now a member of the ruling MMD.

Sata further stated that Mumbi recently while accompanying President Rupiah Banda alleged that the PF leader had stolen a lot of money from donors.

“The plaintiff avers that contrary to the malicious and character assassination mounted against the plaintiff by the defendant, the plaintiff had never stolen any money, nor has he ever told any lies as alleged,” the statement read in part.

Sata prayed to the court to grant an order restraining Mumbi or his agents or whosoever, from continuing to issue any statement or allegations and insinuations against him.