HH contempt case fails to take off in Kitwe

—The case in which United Party for National Development (UPND) President, Hakainde Hichilema, has been sued for alleged contempt of court was yesterday set for August 18.

 

The case, which was scheduled before Kitwe High Court Judge, Catherine Makungu, was adjourned after lawyers representing Ms Lombe Chibesakunda informed the court that they were unable to serve Mr Hichilema with the summons because he was not found at the given address.

 

This is in the case in which acting Chief Justice, Lombe Chibesakunda, applied for contempt proceedings against Mr Hichilema for allegedly commenting on an issue that was active in court.

 

Ms Justice Chibesakunda said the UPND leader was quoted in the Daily Nation Newspaper of June 12 this year under the headline “PF Ministers courting UPND’ in which he allegedly made direct reference to her position and tenure of office as acting Chief Justice.

 

She said the words spoken and published amount to a personal scurrilous abuse of her as the acting Chief Justice in the judicial system.

 

Mr Hichilema has been added as an alleged contemnor in the case in which the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has sued the Attorney General and Ms Justice Chibesakunda over her re-appointment as Supreme Court Judge.

 

Ms Justice Chibesakunda said the words spoken constitute contempt of court on proceedings on a matter that awaits determination by the court.