High Court orders Fimba Upoke cadre to pay damages to Findlay for defamation
THE Lusaka High Court has ordered UPND cadre Frank Zimba, creator of the Facebook page “Fimba Upoke Dig,” to pay damages to businessman Harry Findlay for defamation after he accused Findlay of engaging in drug trafficking alongside late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
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This follows a default judgment delivered by Judge Gaudentia Salasini, after Zimba failed to enter appearance or file a defence in response to Findlay’s lawsuit.
According to the judgement, Findlay was granted final judgment in default, compelling Zimba to issue a public apology, retract the defamatory statements from his social media platforms, and declare them false.
The court also granted an injunction restraining Zimba or his agents from publishing similar statements in the future.
In addition, the court entered interlocutory judgment for damages for libel and slander, to be assessed, together with interest and costs of the proceedings.
The case is from a video posted on July 28, 2025, titled “We are dealing with Mafias and a syndicate that want to paint HH black.” In the recording, Zimba allegedly made false and malicious claims linking Findlay and the late President Lungu to an international drug trafficking ring and a scheme to destabilise the 2026 general elections.
Findlay contended that Zimba went further to allege that he used diplomatic immunity and the presidential jet to move drugs abroad and influenced the Lungu family’s decision not to bury the former Head of State in Zambia to conceal the circumstances of his death.
Findlay told the court that the allegations had caused serious harm to his reputation, exposed him to public ridicule, and resulted in loss of business opportunities. Despite several demands, he said, Zimba refused to apologise or retract the statements.
Findlay sought damages for libel, an injunction, and a public apology, all of which the court has now granted.
Kalemba, October 31, 2025