Tonse Alliance demands K5 billion in damages from govt official, Kawana, for allegedly claiming Lungu down with cancer

Tonse Alliance Spokesperson Sean Tembo has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Thabo Kawana, demanding K5 billion in damages for allegedly disclosing former President Edgar Lungu’s health status.

The demand has been made through Patrick Chulu Legal Practitioners, who claim Kawana made false and defamatory statements about the Tonse Alliance’s candidate, suggesting he was undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

“Acting in his representative capacity for the Tonse Alliance, our client asserts that the statements issued were false, defamatory, and made with malice.

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“The claim that the candidate is receiving chemotherapy treatment is entirely untrue and malicious,” reads part of the demand letter dated Thursday.

The letter further argues that Kawana’s remarks implied the Tonse Alliance candidate was medically unfit to stand for public office, thereby damaging his reputation.

“It is our client’s position that your statements have lowered the esteem and overall public standing of the Tonse Alliance candidate in the eyes of reasonable members of Zambian society and the electorate in particular,” it stated.

Tembo’s legal representatives have demanded K5 billion in compensation within seven days, failing which court proceedings will be initiated without further notice.

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