Zimba faces contempt charges, as court grants Mungandi’s application to stop him from parading himself as president of ZNFU

A legal battle within the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) has escalated, with former vice president Joseph Mungandi seeking to have Jervis Zimba cited for contempt of court.

Mungandi’s move followed allegations that Zimba disregarded a Lusaka High Court injunction barring him from claiming the union’s presidency.

Through his lawyers at Kayula & Associates, Mungandi filed an application arguing that Zimba defied the court order.

Read more: Lusaka High court orders Zimba to vacate presidency of Zambia National Farmers Union

High Court Judge Gaudentia Salasini had since granted leave for contempt proceedings to proceed.

The leadership wrangle stems from a lawsuit Mungandi filed on February 26, 2025, accusing Zimba and other ZNFU trustees of constitutional violations.

In response, the court issued an interim injunction on March 11, ordering Zimba to step down as ZNFU president and cease all related activities.

However, Mungandi claimed Zimba ignored this directive and continued to act as president, which he argued was a deliberate violation of the court’s authority.

In his contempt application filed on March 17, Mungandi is seeking Zimba’s committal to prison for allegedly defying the court’s order.

Court records show that Zimba filed his defense and opposed the injunction on March 16. Despite this, Mungandi insists that Zimba’s continued defiance undermines judicial authority and disrupts the administration of justice.

He is seeking a declaration that Zimba is illegally holding office and should immediately step down.

Additionally, he wants an order barring Zimba from contesting future ZNFU elections.

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