A former Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) manager has sued the corporation, seeking damages for unfair dismissal following an incident in which former president Edgar Lungu was cleared at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) without undergoing full security screening.
Paul Kasonde, who held the position of Manager for Aviation Security (AVSEC), is also claiming damages for mental distress.
Mr Kasonde states that he was employed by the Zambia Airports Corporation as Manager AVSEC until his dismissal on February 10, 2025, after serving one year of a three-year renewable contract.
He submits that his efforts to appeal against the dismissal were unsuccessful, as the verdict was upheld.
According to Mr Kasonde, the events leading to his dismissal occurred on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at KKIA, when a security breach was allegedly recorded after Mr Lungu was cleared without passing through an Arch-Way Metal Detector by the security screening staff.
Following the incident, Mr Kasonde was charged and subsequently dismissed for failing to report irregularities or malpractice by a member of staff or customer to higher authorities.
He contends that, at the time of the incident, the procedures in place exempted the former president from airport security screening.
“As such, the fact that the former president did not pass through the Arch-Way Metal Detector did not constitute a security breach warranting formal reporting, as the VIP Facilitation Procedure in force exempted him from such screening,” he adds.
Mr Kasonde further submits that Mr Lungu had previously been facilitated through the same airport multiple times without undergoing security screening, and the corporation had never questioned or reprimanded him for it.
“Therefore, there was no evidence to support the charge or justify the dismissal, as no irregularities or malpractice occurred at the material time,” the plaintiff argues.
He adds that the VIP facilitation in question was carried out in coordination with security personnel from other state institutions—namely MrTrinity Mubambe, Officer-in-Charge of KKIA Protocol under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC), and Mr Mashala, Officer-in-Charge of KKIA Zambia Police Protocol—against whom no disciplinary action was taken by their respective superiors.
“This confirms that, unlike the Zambia Airports Corporation, the other state institutions involved in the VIP facilitation did not interpret the incident as a security breach, given the former president’s formal exemption from airport screening.
“Furthermore, other airport management staff were present and/or involved in the facilitation, yet no disciplinary action was taken against them. Therefore, the plaintiff’s dismissal was unfortunate.”
Mr Kasonde laments that he was unfairly and wrongfully dismissed.
“The plaintiff is at the prime of his career and belongs to a highly specialized profession in aviation security management, which has now been prematurely cut short.
“Due to the limited employment opportunities in the aviation and airports sector, the plaintiff has unjustly been plunged into destitution.”
He is now demanding payment of damages for unfair and/or wrongful dismissal, damages for mental and emotional trauma, and payment of all outstanding salaries and allowances.
(Mwebantu)
You just wonder who would want to block ECL from going abroad to receive medical care. Ala some people are just heartless.
The person that was dismissed from their job is indeed a patriot. He will be rewarded when we change government next year.
God bless Why Me and Captain Ibrahim Traore.
Vote for change in 2026.
Chikala=Indigo
Which government are you going to change without any opposition candidate? Are you going to stand as opposition president you edioti? Don’t you know that your opposition has crumbled or you’re just imagining things?
Vote wisely vote for HH7 in 2026
FCB, cyber laws do not apply to you stronghold brigade members because of your birthright. Whole all other citizens are scared of insulting, you people have carried on as normal because this law was does not apply to your kind because you have been given immunity by your messiah. However, when we change government, these laws will be applied to your kind retrospectively. I hope it makes your kind feel superior that you can oppress and insult other citizens that are not your kind because you have immunity.
Reject tribalism, corruption and oppression.
God bless Why Me and Captain Ibrahim Traore.
Vote for change in 2026.
Indigo, FCB is just stating the truth and your state of mind. The perception that everything is an insult is in itself mosconcieved and abused. Everyday someone tells you the same thing about your opinions. What does that make you? Clearly you cant handle the truth.
The writing is on the wall, there is no opposition alliance. There is no credible opposition. Even if they were elected today…apart from making noise what will they do for Zambians? Have they told us? At least HH was able to tell us, nga va kanga…at least a yesa, manje ba opposition when asked? They have no clue. Mmembe’s politics are utopian. A figment of his imagination, are we suppose to believe in delusions? Until someone credible comes up…we will stick to what seems hopeful.
Kasongo yeye… mobali na ngai…
for mental distress. Mmmmmm for mental distress