Friday, March 29, 2024

Zambia Daily Mail stands by its story on George Kunda

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Former Vice President George Kunda
Former Vice President George Kunda

THE Zambia Daily Mail has put up its defence against the former Vice-President’s law firm, George Kunda and Company and Mrs Irene Kunda.

Mr Kunda accused the newspaper of ‘falsely’ and ‘maliciously’ publishing an article that his company is alleged to have received K190 million from Zamtel.

But the Mail has maintained the article published on November 25, 2011 is not false and malicious as it is an accurate reflection of proceedings of the press conference held by the Minister of Justice Sebastian Zulu when he presented a report of findings into the sale of Zamtel to President Sata, which he said was marred with “irregularities” that bordered on “illegality” in some instances.

This is contained in a defence filed by Zambia Daily Mail company secretary George Zulu in the Lusaka High Court on Tuesday.

Minister of Information Given Lubinda on Thursday told reporters in Lusaka that a special probe team investigating Mr Kunda—again headed by State Counsel Zulu—shall soon return with a report.

“The Zamtel transaction which was bigger took the inquiry only about three weeks so I don’t think the probe on Mr. Kunda will take any time longer than that…it should be out very soon,” Mr. Lubinda said.

The Zambia Daily Mail, in its defence, submits that its article “focused on issues of non-declaration of interest by the former Vice-President and Minister of Justice and Attorney General, in the transaction done by his law firm involving State enterprises and whose payments were for the benefit of the first plaintiff, in which the second plaintiff and Mr Kunda had a vested interest.”

The newspaper is also aware that Mr Kunda appeared on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation news and said the commission of inquiry to investigate payments to his law firm was not necessary because it would be a waste of taxpayers’ money as “records on payments made to his company “existed” at the Ministry of Justice, where he worked as Minister of Justice and Attorney-General.”

The newspaper also distanced itself from Mrs Kunda, who has sued with her law firm as it never mentioned Mrs Kunda by name or otherwise.

The Zambia Daily Mail has denied allegations that it injured the law firm and Mrs Kunda in their character, credit, professional reputation and standing and is ready to defend itself in court.

The newspaper can also show that several attempts to verify the story with Mr. Kunda were futile as he refused to talk to a Zambia Daily Mail reporter and efforts to amicably resolve the matter were also disregarded by the duo who rushed to issue a court process.

The Zambia Daily Mail seeks the court’s action to dismiss Mr Kunda’s claim with costs unless he drops the suit.
On December 22, Mr Kunda commenced libel proceedings against the Daily Mail and he is claiming compensatory and exemplary damages.

He is also claiming an injunction restraining the Zambia Daily Mail whether by its management, servants and/or agents from further publishing and printing the defamatory words complained of, or any similar libel concerning them.

The Zambia Daily Mail’s editorial team has maintained that it shall uphold high ethical standards in its pursuit for the truth and justice and report matters, only in the interest of the nation and that it would always, were possible, contact each and every person mentioned in a story as long as they agree to talk.

The Zambia Daily Mail also maintains that attempts to cow it with law suits will not deter it from reporting on matters of public interest.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

28 COMMENTS

  1. It is good for the paper to stand their ground if they know what they are talking about. Especially that Kunda spoke to ZNBC about existence of records of payments to his company…

  2. Gk tone down u are no longer in govt.this is africa mudala in case u are leaving on a different planet.its not easy to fight a sitting govt.just 4get this case u cant win.have u seen yo wife is offside so early.

  3. It is hard to win libel cases against the News media. It seems Mr. Kunda has a better shot suing Minister of Justice Sebastian Zulu, unfortunately he is immuned by law to such lawsuits. Good luck Mr backbencher!!!!!

  4. Its true government managed news papers in Times of Zambia and zambia daily mail have become useless again. Just after elections they did well but soon when management changed they lost it. God GK and earn some dimes on this unproffessional writers.

  5. When one listens to kunda now castigating the public media, one would think the man is gone bonkers in the head. This was the man who, at the helm of MMD, was reckless in his speech it be in parliament house or indeed the public gallery. He never cared for any soul especally from the opposing side. You know, what goes round comes round and so Kunda must have known about this, unless he tells me he is mentally incompetent, that fairness is cardinal in every society that peace and stability may prevail. He is reaping what he had sown. Anyway, I am not God to judge him

  6. Bushe ba Gorge Zulu baba banga kanshi? There is this one in the story,then I think there is a minister or PS, then there those either MPs or were standing as MPs. To avoid confusing us why dont they also use their middle names, Limbikani, Chekani, Mwaona, Eclipse, Election, Desiel, Chambwelakumanda, Dabwitso, Airforce, Menyani, Nyamulani, Bwezani, Pepani, Rifle, Saizi, Petrol, Peacekeeper, Chotsani, Dalitso, Leyland, Kumbutso, Referendum, Simcard, Kodwani, Tamara, Microsoft, Menyani, Acquitted, Genesis, Nilekele, Thirdterm, Weluzani, Software, Engine, Residential, Tilekelenji. GOD BLESS ZAMBIA.

  7. YES today its u GK crying over the public media’s coverage.WANYA u will become more tiny until u will complain no more. Im happy u are going through these hard time for u 2 realize that what u were doing to yo friends can also be done on u. Just humble yoself and accept that u will never be in power again. Generations come Generations go. Just become a farmer if u can with yo deteriorating muscles. You are finished BWANA MP GK.

  8. Sorry George. Arrogance just makes it harder to forgive you. Same problem with Dora. When you criticize public media or government in these ongoing issues you must remember that it is we the people who mandated them to do what they are doing. We are the ones who want investigations into wrong-doing. Seen from that perspective, these guys are doing their job, of serving our interests. When they go wrong we will tell them, but on this one we really do want thorough investigations, and if they fail to carry this one through we might even vote them out. The innocent shall be proven so, and like-wise the guilty, and then the law will prevail. Hold tight.

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