The Zambia National Federation of the Blind (ZNFB) has dragged three members of its executive committee to the Lusaka High Court seeking an order of interim injunction restraining them from professing to be executive members.

The Federation and five others have sued James Mwitwa, Lazarus Chileya and Evelyn Mwewa as defendants, seeking a declaration that their continued stay in office was illegal, void and null as their mandate expired on February 15, 2019.

ZNFB and others further want the Court to declare the three with no legal mandate on the business, which are a preserve of the legally-elected executive.

The six further want costs and that any intended electoral process by the three defendants to be stayed, pending the determination of the action.

In a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court principal registry, August 23, the plaintiffs stated that they were at all material times dully-appointed members of the interim executive of ZNFB, while the defendants were members of the executive committee whose mandate expired on February 15, 2019.

They stated that following a meeting attended by both plaintiffs and defendants, it was resolved that the executive committee wherein the defendants, be dissolved and an interim committee consisting of the plaintiffs be appointed.

The plaintiffs stated that this was done unanimously and the said officers took effect forthwith.

They, however, added that the defendants had vowed to remain in office.

“Notwithstanding the aforesaid, the defendants have refused, neglected and or vowed to remain in office and have since continued to conduct themselves as officer bearers,” read the statement of claim.

ZNFB stated that by reason whereof, the plaintiffs were failing to run the affairs of the Federation despite being given the full mandate by the Federation.

They stated that they would aver that the conduct of the defendants have rendered the operations of the Federation impotent.