FAZ President, Kamanga drags govt to court over seized international passport

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President, Andrew Kamanga, has filed a lawsuit against the State to reclaim his passport, seized by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) following his April 2024 arrest on multiple fraud charges.

Kamanga’s suit, submitted to the Ndola High Court, claims that DEC’s ongoing restrictions on his movements are unconstitutional, violated his fundamental rights, and have caused him financial and reputational harm.

Kamanga was arrested on April 23, 2024, facing charges of Obtaining Money by False Pretences, Obtaining Pecuniary Advantage by False Pretences, and Conspiracy to Defraud.

Released on police bond the same day, he was required to provide sureties but had since faced additional restrictions, including the seizure of his passport—a measure Kamanga argued was not stipulated in his bond conditions.

In his petition, Kamanga states he has been required to report periodically to DEC officers to extend his bond, a practice he claims infringes on his rights to freedom and fair treatment under the law.

He asserted that these conditions, imposed without a defined end date, have left him unable to clear his name in court or resume his regular activities as a businessman and FAZ president.

Kamanga further alleges that DEC’s travel restrictions have directly affected his business opportunities, with delays or denials in travel authorization limiting his professional engagements.

These restrictions, he argued, have led to financial losses and have impacted his role in FAZ due to DEC’s indefinite investigation timeline.

Kamanga contends that DEC’s actions violate his constitutional rights, including Articles 11 and 18(1) on fair and timely trial and Article 22(1) on freedom of movement.

He is requesting the court to order the immediate release of his passport to enable him to fulfill his business and international duties.

In addition to his demand for his passport’s release, Kamanga seeks financial compensation, requesting general damages for inconvenience caused by DEC’s actions and special damages for specific business losses incurred due to his inability to travel.

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