Costly court defeat punches K1 million kwacha hole in Lungu’s kasaka ka ndalama
Former president Edgar Lungu’s famous ‘kasaka kandalama’ is set to suffer a million kwacha shortfall following a costly court defeat in his ongoing eligibility case that requires him to foot the legal bills of his opponent, Michelo Chizombe.
Lungu’s spirited push to become Republican President for third time is being hampered by Chizombe who went to court insisting that, the former Chawama lawmaker has already held office twice and therefore should be bared from contesting future elections.
As the case takes dramatic turn and twists, Lungu filed an application last week demanding that three of the Constitutional Court judges recuse themselves from the case accusing them of bias.
But on October 3, the court threw out the application and awarded Chizombe and the State legal costs, after Lungu’s failed attempt at having three judges to withdraw from handling his eligibility case, on the perception of bias.
Court president Margaret Munalula, her vice Arnold Shilimi and judge Mapani Kawimbe rebuked the former president and his lawyers for making unsubstantiated accusations against them.
They said the allegations that they were affiliated to President Hakainde Hichilema and were serving his interest to prevent him (Lungu) from being on the ballot paper in the 2026 election, without evidence amounted to contempt of court.
Immediately the Court made the pronouncement Chizombe could not wait for Lungu to deep in his money bag at his own will in his free time, as he asked his lawyer Micheal Moono to give him his bill for legal services so that he could demand the same from Lungu, as ordered by the Court.
According to the demand letter served on Lungu’s lawyers Makebi Zulu Advocates by Chizombe’s lawyers L.J. Michaels Legal Practitioners, the youth activist has given ‘bakasaka Kandalama’ (owner of the money bag) a seven day ultimatum to settle his legal fees.
“As you are aware, your Application for the Recusal of Judges in this cause was dismissed today the 3rd day of October 2024 by the full bench of the Constitutional Court and your client Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the 1st Respondent herein, was condemned in Legal Costs and the same were awarded to the Petitioner and the 3rd Respondent,” the letter read in parts.
“In furtherance to the same and in compliance with the court’s Ruling, we hereby peg our fees at One Million Kwacha Only (ZMW 1,000,000.00) to be paid by your client forthwith but within seven (7) days from today.”
The letter further indicated the account details of the law firm in which Lungu will have to deposit the money.
“We trust that you are in possession of the said Court Ruling of 3rd October, 2024, but to
eliminate any doubt we have atached it to this letter for your use.”
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba October 5, 2024.
Nauseatingly high if you ask me. When you consider that essential professionals such as doctors who literally hold our lives in their hands do not make this kind of money, it just drives you nuts. Do lawyers ever ask themselves what kind of society we need to build in Zambia?
The aim to suck Mr LUNGU till he dances perete
Ni ka saka ka ndalama….kaili….you dont around bragging that the state Presidential pension is “Crumbs”.
As the saying goes….”what goes round comes around”
Lungu is useless he can’t see
Yes to Edgar that money is pocket money – for drink and talktime. So don’t sympathize with Edgar. The guy stole a lot ! At his age he can live on and still leave a lot behind.
ECL is arrogant and deserves stern punishment. Surely after destroying Zambia he still has that arrogance to return to State House.
Lawyers make no loss, pay or litigation on the way.
The old fool who has got no brain , instead of becoming statesman him decided to become useless, even children failed to advise him what a wasted blood.
The time to pay for the sins has come kkkkkkkkkk.
Punitive damages imposed indirectly. Lungu has successfully exposed a biased and partisan judiciary.
Kikikiki…