The Lusaka High Court has adjourned hearing in the matter where UPND president Hakainde Hichilema wants an interim injunction to restrain the Times of Zambia Newspaper from publishing alleged defamatory stories on him.
The hearing of the matter earlier scheduled for today has been adjourned to January 26, 2016.
Lusaka High Court Judge Fulgence Chisanga adjourned the matter after oral submissions from lawyers representing Mr. Hichilema and defence lawyers.
Lusaka Lawyer Marshall Muchende representing Mr. Hichilema submitted that the plaintiff’s and defendants’ lawyers agreed to adjourn the matter to a later date.
Mr. Muchende said the adjournment would afford the plaintiff’s and defendants’ lawyers ample time to confer with their clients as the summons were only served on the defence lawyers yesterday.
Defence lawyer Tutwa Ngulube replied in the affirmative but sought the court indulgence for conditional appearance of the first and fourth plaintiffs.
The first plaintiff is Patriotic Front-PF Secretary General Davies Chama and PF Media and Publicity Committee Vice Chairperson Sunday Chanda.
Mr. Hichilema has sued Times of Zambian for defamation on account of story carried out in the paper that he had censured a traditional leader in Southern Province for receiving PF Secretary General Davies Chama and for speaking to Chama in Bemba.
He has contented that the words in their natural and ordinary meaning meant that he is a tribalist who will never preside over critical affairs of Zambia.
Mr. Hichilema has also sought an interim injunction to restrain the newspaper from further publication of such allegations.
This is according to a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court
This is just as expected.
Your brain is dead just continue enjoying your grave bwana.
HH has big heart indeed. It has taken him a very long time to react on derogatory remarks issued by PF minions. He has forgiven those who have insulted him in the past. Now we the supporters have demanded that he takes action to put a stop this rot which can cause genocide in our peaceful nation.
Next we want all those accusing him of having stolen from privatisation to prepare their evidence as they are next in line to charged with defamation. Lusambo, Tayali, Sunday Chanda, should be ready as we are a preparing a list of litigations against them.
My advice bane is start collecting documents which show that HH embazzled money from privatisation other wise you will have to pay a hefty fine or go to jail until HH pardons you.
Viva UPND and HH team.
LET THEM COME AND DEFEND THEMSELVES SO THAT WE SEE WHO IS WHO.
At such a time when USA has an African-American if you like black President, Zambians are still blistling with tribalism issues amongst a people who shares similar words like ‘kuseka’ for laughter, ‘kulya’for eating. Americans judge each other based on contents of their character, Zambia still have people who judge each other based on tribe. Shame! N0sense! Funny children.
Do your campaigns instead of wasting your precious time. Kumbali ya mushi kutukwa imfumu. Retrally meaning, those in leadership are always insulted in their absence. You may end up suing the whole nation. Some things just forget and forge ahead. Public Office comes with a lot of mudslinging, especially in African politics where people have just got an opportunity to use the Online media for the first time. This advice is for all politicians. People will always talk ill of their leaders, sometimes for selfish reasons but just forget and move on.
But if it was Lungu being defamed in public would you advise him to just forget?
@ Wanzelu, good observation.
what a president desperate for money from innocent journalists together with support staff .A man suffering from rejection and now humbled by nature.. Go back to the land
Ecl has been ridiculed defamed and insulted and has not taken anyone to courts because he understands leadership.
A leader should be a peoples property not what we are seeing in this buffoon. How do you sue the entire nation for calling you a tribalist and shetanist. Instead of proving people wrong he even picks a tribes mate as his lawyer muchende.
Lungu has been called names like stealing client’s money to an extent of photo manipulation and fabrication of doctor’s letters purporting his fake ill health by Upnd minions but the man has not reacted. This just goes to tell you the difference between the two.
Imagine if HH was to be president who is going to criticize him?
I doubt if HH has his own ideas. Always doing what sata used to do. Today m kachema, tomorrow mosses, that other day obama. Hope he has stopped insulting pipo also.
Has he ever insulted you or your father before?
@fumanchu & wanzelu, you are not aware that Edgar is defamed almost daily by yourselves, uPMD, Nawakwi, FDD, Luonde, Urinal Post etc etc? Has he sued anyone? Are you aliens bosses or you live in Zambia among us?
Ecl has always being insulted and others have even gone to an extent of photo manipulation and fabrication of doctor’s letters but the man is a true leader who understands what it takes to be in leading positions.
Imagine if HH is president now and people take turns in ridiculing and criticizing him, can’t he sue the entire nation?
He is not fit to be our president period.
For us HH is the man. Sata used to sue people whilst mu state house as well. It is just that the sued iddiots have persistently been tarnishing HH’s image.
That means in the meantime until 26th January 2016, the Defendants may publish anything that they want…..okay?
Ignorance is bliss.
One love.
ecl forever
Good sue them for defamation using our public media sponsored by our own taxpayers.