Lusaka High Court Judge Conceptor Zulu has recused herself from handling a matter in which PF Secretary General Davies Mwila has sued Chishimba Kambwili for defamation, on the basis that he has previously worked with the Roan PF member of parliament in Luanshya.
In this matter, Mwila sued the NDC Consultant Chishimba Kambwili, demanding punitive and exemplary damages for the malicious words uttered against him at a press briefing where Kambwili alleged that Mwila had hired someone to write his Grade 12 examinations on his behalf.
“…Mwila lost an election to a nonentity, a small boy, an independent in Chipili. I have won elections in Roan, three times…And by the way, let Mwila not throw glasses because even that grade 12 certificate he has bamulembele kofye (they wrote for him). When we came to parliament, he came as a form three. Get Mwila in a classroom today to rewrite his grade 12, nga kuti akwata ko nangu nine points (if he can even get nine points). So that chap should not even start me because I know him very well,” Kambwili had charged at a press briefing held in October, 2018.
And in a statement of claim, Mwila had stated that the parts of the press briefing relating to him, imputed traits of dishonesty, bad faith, lack of respect for the education system; that he was not fit to be a leader and that he was a fraudsters.
He further stated that the words complained of had lowered him in the estimation of right thinking members of the society and had generally brought him into public ridicule, scandal, odium, hatred and contempt.
However, Justice Zulu recused herself, saying he could not deliberate on the matter because he had worked with Kambwili in Luanshya.
“This record was allocated to me on December 17, 2018. I however wish to recuse myself because I have personally worked with the defendant during my tenure of office as Administrator General and Official Receiver. The Administrator General and Receiver was in charge of RAMCOZ, a company whose assets are situated in Luanshya, the Parliamentary Constituency of the defendant. I accordingly recuse myself and request that the matter be re-allocated to another judge,” said Justice Zulu.