By ROGERS KALERO
THE Chililabombwe Magistrate Court has issued an order for leave to commence contempt of court proceeding against UPND Chililabombwe district chairman Timothy Musonda for ignoring a court. injunction which was obtained by 16 mealie meal traders restraining UPND cadres from interfering with their business in Konkola Township.
On Monday, October 4, 2021, the court granted an injunction to the 16 mealie meal traders to restrain the ruling UPND cadres from stopping them or interfering with their business in Konkola Township of Chililabombwe.
But the UPND cadres continued to stop or interfere with the business of the 16 traders forcing them to complain to the courts over the cadres’ decision to ignore the court injunction.
And Mr Musonda in reacting to the story said the injunction was a waste of time and money because he was not responsible for the authorisation of trading in mealie meal in the district, that there was a task force headed by the DAO.
In response, the court decided to issue an order for leave to commence contempt of court proceeding against Mr Musonda for ignoring a court injunction which was obtained by the 16 mealie meal traders restraining UPND cadres from interfering with their business in Konkola Township.
The order read,” Exparte Order for Leave to commence contempt of Court proceedings against the Defendant, his Agents, his servants and or any other persons pursuant to the Inherent jurisdiction of the Subordinate Court.
“Upon hearing from the Plaintiff and upon reading the Affidavit sworn by John Mukonko and 15 others, it is hereby ordered and directed to commence contempt of Court proceedings against the Defendant, his Agents, Servants and or any other persons is hereby granted,” read the order.
The parties concerned should attend the court on October 19, 2021 at 14.00 hours on hearing of an application on behalf of the Plaintiff to grant leave to commence contempt of court proceedings against the Defendant, his servants or any other persons for reasons sufficiently stated in the Affidavit in support filed hereof
On October 13, 2021, the 16 mealie meal traders in Chililabombwe complained that UPND cadres have continued to stop them from conducting their business in Konkola Township despite a court injunction restraining them from doing so or interfering with their business in Konkola Township
“Those who obtained the injunction wasted their time and money because me I don’t authorise the trading of mealie meal here in Chililabombwe. Me, I am very far from that. They should go and do it properly,” Mr Musonda said.
And a letter obtained by the Daily Nation, addressed to District Commissioner and signed by Mr Musonda, said his office through the UPND National Management has allowed a new arrangement by the party to take over Konkola and KasumbalesaCommunity Service.
The letter, which was written on September 3, 2021 stated that the party had decided that the permit for passage to trucks carrying mealie meal to Kasumbalesacommunity and Konkola Township by the current arrangement is suspended.
“I wish to advise that with immediate effect 3rd September, 2021 the party has decided that the permit for passage to trucks carrying mealie meal to Kasumbalesacommunity and Konkola Township by the current arrangement is suspended.
“My office through the National Management has allowed a new arrangement by the party to take over Konkola township and Kasumbalesa Community Service with immediate effect,” read the letter which was signed by Mr Musonda.
