Trial begins in libel case brought by State House staff, Hamasaka, against NDC leader, Imboela

State House Chief Communication Specialist, Clayson Hamasaka, has complained to the court that the defamatory posts made by National Democratic Congress (NDC) Leader, Saboi Imboela, on her Facebook page has lowered his integrity and damaged his reputation.

Hamasaka has also told the Lusaka Magistrate, Sylvia Munyinya, that his marriage has not hit the rocks as purported by Imboela.

It is alleged that Imboela on unknown dates, but between September 9, 2022 and September 10, 2022, in Lusaka jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, did publish defamatory matters against Clayson Hamasaka on a Facebook page called Saboi Imboela -SI.

In this matter, Imboela, 45, of Lilayi pleaded not guilty to two counts of Libel Contrary to Section 191 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Hamasaka further testified that on September 9, 2022, he was on the Copperbelt for work and received a lot of calls, screenshots on both WhatsApp and Facebook.

“I was able to pick a few calls. And from the few calls I picked they told me about what Saboi-SI had posted about me on her Facebook page. Then later in the evening I sat down to see what exact the post was about. After I checked I realized the extent of the message, the amount of comments on the same page surrounding me,” he said.

Hamasaka submitted that the post was talking about his farm and how it was developed by the Chinese.

Hamasaka also testified that the post alleged that he was a unstable character that would take advantage of women in the UPND and sleep with them.

“There were so many post and those ones really touched me a lot. After I saw that post and many others I contacted my colleagues. Your honour I was so shocked when I saw those post because everything was falsehood,” he said.

He also told the court that the said post alleged that his married was threatened because he was allegedly sleeping around.

“Those post lowered my integrity and profession built in more than 25 years of my career, damaged my reputation, my standing from members of the public, I have a family and children who have access to Facebook who were able to read these malicious post, which are still on the page now and people are still commenting,” he said.

Hamasaka said the words posted were so demeaning, that even if he wants to give advice to others he would feel low esteem.

He said all the allegations posted by Imboela were malicious.

“I seek legal action because I want the accused to provide evidence,” he submitted.

During cross examination when asked if his marriage was threatened, Hamasaka said no.

He also denied claims of him sleeping around and his farm not developed by the Chinese.

The court adjourned the matter to March 29, 2023 for continuation of trial.

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