By Esther Chisola
Former Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chairperson Musa Mwenye has given Kankoyo MP Heartson Mabeta 24 hours within which to retract a “defamatory post” in which he has accused him of seeking to get $3 million from Copperbelt Energy Company, failure to which he will seek court redress.
In a letter addressed to Mabeta dated July 22, 2024, Mwenye through his lawyers is demanding for a retraction and an apology for the defematory statement against him.
“In your Facebook post of the 21 of July, 2024, you published a social media post in which you alleged that our client attempted to irregularly get US$3 million commission from Copperbelt Energy Company Plc, a Public Limited Company which is held to the highest standards of ethical behaviour. You also maliciously and falsely allege in your post that our client intimidated Mr. Justice Charles Kafunda,” stated Eddie Mwitwa.
Mwitwa stated that at no time did Mwenye demand for a commission from the Copperbelt Energy Company Plc nor had he, in his many years of practice as a lawyer, ever intimidated any judge or adjudicator.
“These allegations have been made maliciously and without evidence whatsoever, especially considering that our client has practiced law successfully for the past 25 years without any blemish or ever being punished or sanctioned by the Law Association of Zambia,” he stated.
He stated that Mwenye was a senior lawyer and State Counsel, having served as Law Association of Zambia President, Solicitor General and Attorney-General and more recently as Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Commission Board of Directors.
“Our client has been ratified three times by Parliament without any reservations whatsoever and serves on reputable international corporate boards and has conducted international duties for the Commonwealth at various times. Our client has therefore, had unblemished career and your accusations maliciously cast aspersions upon our client,” he stated.
Mwitwa gave Mateba 24 hours to render an apology.
“In the premises, we demand an immediate retraction and apology in a text acceptable to our client, within the next following 24 hours failure to which our client will seek redress in the courts of law,” stated Mwitwa.
