By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
DEMOCRATIC Party president Harry Kalaba has countersued his accusers within the party claiming US$20, 000, 000 for defamation. In this matter, DP vice president Judith Kabemba and party national treasurer, Justine Nkonge in their claim, want the interim injunction to stop Mr Kalaba from receiving finances on behalf of the party as well as holding any meetings on its behalf until the determination of the matter.
They want the Court to declare illegal, all unilateral decisions made by Mr Kalaba on September 25, this year wherein he relieved the DP’s committee chairpersons nationwide, the appointment of one Javis Chabu, as national secretary and the creation of the dual vice presidency for the party, for allegedly being in breach of the party constitution. The duo also wants the said appointments nullified on account of want of authority and being ultra vires party constitution.
But Mr Kalaba in his defence and counterclaim is demanding US$20,000,000 for libel from the plaintiffs for alleging he is working against the interest of the Zambian public by bringing back brutality and murder of innocent people such as State prosecutor Nsama Nsama and other youths who lost their lives during the reign of the PF government.
He stated that the words in their ordinary meaning, meant that he was a common criminal who wants to benefit from proceeds of crime by working with other criminals who stole money from the coffers of the nation. He stated that he was one man who always endeavours’ to live an honest life. Mr Kalaba is seeking general damages for defamation and damages for mental stress and inconvenience.
He is also seeking an injunction stopping the plaintiffs or their agents from defaming or publishing by word of mouth or writing or in any form of electronic, print media or otherwise , any defamatory matter against him until the determination of the matter. He stated that after the general elections, the party immediately commenced the process of party mobilization and restructuring in order to ready itself to contest any by elections.
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