By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
BOWMAN Lusambo used his position as Copperbelt Minister to bulldoze his way into taking possession of the house without signing the lease agreement, Zamtel contends in its submission to the High Court.
The company has also denied entering into a verbal agreement with Mr Lusambo for him to effect renovation works on its property before a signed lease agreement.
This is a matter where Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (Zamtel) has sued the former provincial minister in the Lusaka High Court claiming K590, 000 in unpaid rentals.
The company described Mr Lusambo as a problematic tenant who should immediately vacate the house known as House number 68, Kabelenga Road, Ndola.
However, Mr Lusambo counterclaimed that Zamtel pays him K2 million which is what he spent to renovate the house leased to him.
He also alleged that there was an oral agreement between him and Zamtel, through the negotiation team led by then Chief executive officer, Dr. Mupanga Mwanakatwe that he proceeded to renovate the house using his own funds which would be deductible from the monthly rentals.
But Zamtel Human Resource Operations Manager, Henry Lungu, in an affidavit in reply contends that Mr Lusambo deliberately delayed and avoided signing the lease agreement despite several reminders requesting that he signs and returns the copies to the company.
Mr Lungu said Mr Lusambo was not entitled to the claim of K2, 050, 327.80 as he owes Zamtel unpaid rentals and costs for restoring the property to its original state.
Mr Lungu reiterated that Zamtel does not enter into informal arrangements as described by the Mr Lusambo.
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