. Kambwili

By FELIX MALUNGA –

YOUTH and Sport Minister, Chishimba Kambwili is demanding an apology from The Post Newspapers for allegedly defaming him over an article the tabloid carried on Tuesday, April 8, 2014.

Mr Kambwili said the words attributed to him by The Post were not uttered by him and that at no time did he speak to any Cabinet minister as reported in the article.

According to his lawyers, Caristo Mukonka Legal Practitioners who have written to The Post, Mr Kambwili never said he does not care if President Michael Sata fired him because he had made his money.

“The said words are your own newsroom creation calculated to annoy not only our client but his appointing authority, the President, and create a ‘plinth’ for the President’s reaction.

Our client has been injured in his credit and reputation. His personal, political and business reputation has been seriously damaged. Your mendacity has caused considerable distress and embarrassment,” the letter signed by Mr Mukonka to The Post managing director dated April 9, reads in part.

Mr Kambwili demanded that the newspaper tenders to him a full apology for the publication of the aforesaid words and unreservedly withdraw the imputation on him.

“The said apology should be published with the same prominence as the article complained of within 24 hours of receipt of this letter.

“Failure to do so, we have firm instructions and without further notice to institute legal proceedings against you for damages for slander, exemplary damages, compensatory damages, interest and legal costs,” part of the letter reads.

In its Tuesday edition, The Post reported that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had summoned Mr Kambwili for questioning over abuse of authority of office.

The paper went on to say Mr Kambwili said he does not care even if President Michael Sata fires him because he has made his money.

However, ACC confirmed that it had instituted investigations against Mr Kambwili over congratulatory advertisements the ministry placed in the Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail after he obtained a degree from Copperstone University.