By Esther Chisola
Judgement in the case where National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader Saboi Imboela is accused of defaming State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka, failed to take off due to the absence of the magistrate.
In this matter, Imboela, 45, of Lilayi pleaded not guilty to two counts of Libel Contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
She was later found with a case to answer and put on defense.
In her defense, Imboela denied defaming Hamasaka stating that she never mentioned the first name of the person she was referring to and she was not referring to Clayson Hamasaka.
And when the matter came up for judgement yesterday, magistrate Constance Kansankalab on behalf of magistrate Silvia Munyinya adjourned the matter to Monday.
“I’m told the record is with the court, so the matter should come on Monday for judgement,” said the court.
And speaking to journalists shortly after the adjournment, United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) spokesperson Jackson Silavwe said the alliance was hoping for Imboela to be acquitted.
“The matter has been adjourned to Monday. And we are hoping that on Monday the judgement will be rendered because you know that this issue has been long overdue. So far, the judgement has been adjourned twice now. This is the second time. So, we are hoping that at the third attempt, this matter will be able to set,” said Silavwe.
“And of course, we are expecting that our colleague will be acquitted. Because this issue is a political issue and we hope that justice is served. That is the expectation of the United Kwacha Alliance that this matter will be in the favour of president Saboi Imboela.”
It is alleged that Imboela on September 9, 2022 jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, with intent to defame, unlawfully published defamatory matters against Hamasaka on a Facebook page called SABOI IMBOELA-SI stating as follows, “his farm is being developed by the Chinese & is the character I said had permanent rooms and hotels, sleeping with women that want jobs in the UPND. You are the ghost terrorizing women.”
It is alleged in the last count that on September 9, 2022, in Lusaka jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, with intent to defame, Imboela unlawfully published defamatory matters against Hamasaka on her Facebook page called SABOI IMBOELA-SI as follows, “Hamasaka was caught red handed by the wife muchigololo, even as we speak marriage ili pama rocks, but somehow u want to play a personal war with me? We shall see who will regret.”
Imboela was accompanied to court by her family members among them her mother and some UKA officials.
