‘Frivolous, vexatious,’ Constitutional court throws out Tembo’s petition against Hichilema

The Constitutional Court has dismissed a petition by Patriots for Economic Progress, Sean Tembo, who alleged that President Hakainde Hichilema’s foreign trips drained the country’s economic resources.

The court rejected the petition due to Tembo’s failure to provide evidence that the 49 trips taken since President Hichilema’s inauguration were at the expense of needy areas.

The court ruled that Tembo’s petition was frivolous and vexatious, as it did not raise constitutional issues or provide cogent evidence of violations of Articles 173 and 198 of the constitution.

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The court emphasised that it was not its duty to seek information or take judicial notice of contentious issues.

The onus was on Tembo to adduce evidence to prove his allegations, which he failed to do.

The judgment, delivered by a bench presided over by Deputy President Arnold Shilimi, held that the petition relied on speculation and conjecture.

The foreign authorities cited by Tembo were taken out of context and did not support his case.

Ultimately, the court dismissed the petition as frivolous and vexatious, noting that it failed in its own inanition.

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