UPND’s Moonde sues state for K2 million over alleged defamation of character

Frazer Moonde, a member of the UPND National Management Committee (NMC), has filed a K2 million lawsuit against the State, alleging defamation.

Moonde, a long-standing member of the UPND since 1999 and a resident of John Laing compound, claims that false information was provided to President Hakainde Hichilema, accusing him of inciting a revolt against the government.

Moonde was elected to the NMC during the National Assembly in February 2021 and was subsequently appointed as Deputy Chairperson for Rural Development by President Hichilema in March 2021.

The alleged defamation reportedly occurred during an NMC meeting at State House on July 18, 2024, where Moonde learned that his character had been maligned before the President.

The false accusations claimed that Moonde was “inciting people to rise against the government” and “agitating for the happenings in Kenya to occur in Zambia.”

Moonde alleges that his character was defamed through false information reported to have been shared with the President through the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security or other security agents, acting together or separately.

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He claimed that the following remarks were made against him: “You are inciting people to rise against the government because we didn’t give you a job. You have been agitating that what is happening in Kenya should also occur here. You have been committing treasonous acts. You are committing a crime. You can be arrested.”

Moonde has denied these allegations, insisting that they were untrue and amount to defamation of character.

He argued that the President was fed incorrect information, which was then published and communicated to third parties.

In his lawsuit, Moonde is seeking K2 million in damages as exemplary compensation, interest on the claimed amount at a commercial bank rate, costs and any other reliefs that the court may deem appropriate.

He asserts that the false information was deliberately spread to tarnish his reputation and is now seeking justice for the harm caused.

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