I will produce evidence of defamation – Katambo

CHINTU MALAMBO writes MASAITI Member of Parliament (MP) Michael Katambo has informed the Lusaka High Court that he will produce evidence which he stored on his flash drive, to show that his area councillor Delight Mutale defamed him.  “Take notice that the plaintiff intends to produce a flash drive containing a recording of the alleged defamatory statements uttered against the plaintiff by the defendant when the matter comes up for trial before judge Pixie Yangailo,” read the notice. In his matter Mr Katambo, who is also Agriculture Minister, has sued Mr Mutale, seeking damages for defamation of character for allegedly accusing him of stealing tax payers money and abandoning his family. Mr Katambo is further seeking damages on account of Mr Mutale’s actions and damages for mental distress and anguish. He also wants an apology from Mr Mutale to be circulated to the recipient of the defamatory statements and a public apology in the daily newspaper having a wide circulation in Zambia. In a statement of claim, Mr Katambo stated that between September 2019 and January this year, Mr Mutale caused to be issued, slanderous statements against him to various persons. The MP stated that the statements made against him were that he was the richest cabinet minister who had amassed wealth using privileged position, among other allegations. Mr Katambo stated that the words complained of in their ordinary and natural meaning were meant to suggest that he was a dishonest and corrupt man who was motivated by money and that he was a deceitful person who lacks integrity to hold the office or position that he holds. Earlier in in his defense Mr Mutale denied issuing slanderous statements against Katambo. He denied uttering statements that Katambo had amassed wealth by stealing tax payers money neither did he say that the latter was cruel, inhuman and had abandoned his family. The Sun