FIVE winners of the Miss Plus Size Zambia 2020 have sued organizers of the beauty pageant in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court for allegedly refusing or neglecting to pay them the money and prizes which were due to them after winning the competition.

The five – Miss Plus Size Zed 2020 winner Beatrice Mulauzi; Faith Sholoma (second prize winner); Maria Phiri (third Prize winner); Miss Personality Lukosha Sakala and Miss Popularity Ida Phiri – have sued Allan Lupenda, Perfect Kalisa and Precious Kanchepa as defendants.

The five are seeking an order compelling the defendants to pay the first prize winner, Mulauzi K10,000 prize money, and further a brand new iPhone 8 Plus worth K15,500.

Sholoma is seeking an order directing the defendants to a give her a brand new iPhone 7 plus worth K14,500 for the second prize winner, while Maria Phiri wants the court to order the defendants to give her a brand new Huawei P20 smart phone worth K9,500 as third Prize winner.

The five also want payment on quantum meruit basis for Sakala and Idah Phiri as prizes for the awards for Ms Personality and Ms Popularity respectively.

They also want damages for breach of contracts, costs and any other relief the court may deem fit.

In a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court, the plaintiffs stated that the defendants were organizers of the ‘Miss Plus Size Zed 2020’ beauty pageant competition under the name and style of ‘Zebra Events Design’.

They stated that the defendants advertised for auditions which they applied for and were short listed for participation.

The plaintiffs further stated that on December 21, 2019 the auditions were done at a K100 participation fee per contestant who were also asked to provide their own attire and logistics for participation in all the eight categories.

They stated that from all the applicants, 16 contestants were selected for the grand finale of the Miss Plus Size Zambia beauty pageant slated for October 23, 2020 which they (plaintiffs) won.

The five lamented that the defendants had refused or neglected to pay them the agreed prize money and other valuable prizes despite several reminders.

“Despite all efforts by the plaintiffs in their personal capacity and seeking other avenues to have this matter resolved amicably, the defendants elected to be adamant and further continued withholding the money, prizes and other incentives due,” stated the plaintiffs.

The matter comes up on December 30, this year, for hearing.