Mines minister, Kabuswe, sues PF faction leader, Sampa, for defamation over alleged Mopani Copper Mines deal

Mines and Minerals Development Minister, Paul Kabuswe has filed an application with the Lusaka High Court to commence defamation proceedings against Patriotic Front (PF) faction president, Miles Sampa.

Kabuswe’s lawyer, Vianney Kalaba Luswili, revealed that the minister is seeking an interim injunction to restrain Sampa from making any further defamatory statements against him.

The application also seeks to prevent Sampa’s agents or servants from making similar statements.

Kabuswe’s legal team argues that the matter is urgent and requires immediate attention, despite the court being on Christmas vacation.

However his application did not delve into the details of the defamatory statements.

But early this month,Kabuswe had sent a demand letter to Sampa, claiming K50 million in damages for allegedly soiling his character.

Sampa had allegedly made statements on his Facebook page implying that Kabuswe had amassed wealth from the sale of Mopani Copper Mines.

Kabuswe gave Sampa a three-day ultimatum to retract the statements, which expired earlier this month.

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