Former Bank of Zambia Governor, Mvunga, drags Matero lawmaker, Sampa, to court for libel, demands K100 million

Former Bank of Zambia (BoZ) Governor, Christopher Mvunga, has dragged, Miles Sampa, to the Lusaka High Court.

Mvunga is demanding for K100 million from Sampa for alleging that he released money from the Central bank claimed to have been found with Journalist Faith Musonda.

Mvunga contended that the Matero Member of Parliament accused him of being dishonest, corrupt and incompetent, which had affected his reputation in society, especially in the financial industry.

In 2021, the State seized K65 million cash and US$57 found at the house of Lusaka Journalist, Musonda.

Sampa, a former Finance Deputy Minister on January 29,2024, was alleged to have maliciously published on his Facebook Page which has more than 750 followers, an article titled “FORMER BANK GOVERNOR ORDERED WITHDRAW OF CASH GIVEN TO FAITH MUSONDA” and mentioned the plaintiff by name in the article.

Mvunga in his statement of claim stated that he was shocked to have received numerous calls from different people locally and internationally, concerning the allegations that he was involved in the stealing of public money from the Central bank and stocking it in various homes.

“At the time of the publication, the plaintiff was involved in a high level financial transaction which has been affected by the said publication as the parties involved have expressed concerns dealing with the plaintiff as a result of the publication by the defendant,” he stated.

Mvunga said Sampa refused to render an apology in 48 hours and only deleted the article and gave an explanation as to why he posted the defamatory publication.

He stated that he risked being attacked on suspicion that he was hoarding money in homes.

The ex-bank Governor wants the Court to order Sampa to pay damages in the sum of K100 million for libel, an injunction restraining him from further publishing libelous articles and an apology.

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