CHOMBA MUSIKA, Lusaka

THE case United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema and five others have sued the State over alleged malicious prosecution in 2017 could be dismissed. This is because the matter has not been active as Mr Hichilema and others have not done anything to move the case in court. Lusaka High Court judge Pixie Yangailo has given the plaintiffs one week in which to make an action in relation to the matter or she will dismiss it. “Pursuant to order XIX rule 8 of the High Court Amendment Act of 2020, this matter shall be dismissed if no action is taken by the plaintiffs within seven days from the date of order,” Judge Yangailo said. This is in a case Mr Hichilema and others are seeking damages for malicious prosecution, unlawful detention, false imprisonment, torture and other claims following their arrest for treason and other charges in April 2017.
They have cited Attorney General Likando Kalaluka as the respondent. In their documents, Mr Hichilema and others want the court to order the State to compensate them for the pain, suffering and other harm they suffered during their arrest and eventual detention. They further allege that their arrest, detention and subsequent prosecution was without justification and that it was malicious. Mr Hichilema and others are also seeking an order that all known police officers who allegedly conducted themselves in an unprofessional manner during the CLICK TO READ MORE