PEP leader, Tembo, denies defaming Minister Nkombo in K40 million law suit brought against him

Patriots for Economic Progress (PEP) leader, Sean Tembo, has told the Lusaka High Court that Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Gary Nkombo, is not entitled to K40 million in damages.

Tembo argued that his remarks about Nkombo’s threats against opposition Member of Parliament, Jean Chisenga, were factual and constituted fair comment.

Tembo allegedly stated on Diamond Television that Nkombo had made specific threats against Chisenga, which were widely published in the media.

Tembo maintained that his comments were not defamatory and that he had no duty to retract or apologize.

He contended that Nkombo’s lawsuit was a ploy to harass and intimidate him as an opposition leader.

The case relates to a fire incident at Chisenga’s property in Lilayi on May 20, 2024.

Tembo had visited the scene with other opposition leaders and requested that Nkombo explain whether the fire was the punishment he had threatened.

“Incorporating the various threats that were made by the plaintiff towards Chisenga and which threats were widely published by the media, amounts to fair comment and a mere call for the plaintiff to explain and possibly exonerate himself from the calamity that had befallen Chisenga,” he contended.

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