HAMASAKA SUES STATE FOR MALICIOUS PROSECUTION

By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSASTATE House Media Director, Clayson Hamasaka has sued Government demanding that it pays him damages for malicious and wrongful prosecution on charges of drug dealing, defamation of the President and seditious practices.Mr Hamasaka states that his arrest and prosecution for the said charges in 2013 were publicised in print and electronic media both locally and internationally leading to his dismissal from employment.He claims to have suffered physical and emotional pain during the detention in police cells where he was abused and assaulted by the real criminals there.Thus, he wants the Lusaka High Court to order Government to pay him damages for malicious and wrongful prosecution.Mr Hamasaka seeks damages for false imprisonment and suffering as well as compensation for lost personal items.According to documents filed into court yesterday, Mr Hamasaka stated that on July 9, 2013, a combined team of Drug Enforcement and Zambia Police officers among other agents of the State searched his house on plot 12246, Woodlands.The former Evelyn Hone College lecturer stated that according to the search warrant, the officerS were looking for drugs and other illegal substances which he was alleged to be dealing in.He stated that after the search, the officers confiscated computers, phones, a firearm, home entertainment equipment and many other items.“The plaintiff was then detained at Woodlands police station in a very filthy and inhabitable cell for about two days, firstly on a charge of defamation of the President and later on a charge of seditious practices,” he said.“The plaintiff was later released from police custody on police bond but arraigned before the magistrates court on a charge of being in possession of obscene materials for which after standing trial, he was acquitted on 11 August 2015,” he added.Mr Hamasaka stated that he ran private businesses in his free time which included farming and media consultancy but after his prosecution clients and business associates began to shun and isolate him thereby causing him total loss of business.E