Chief Justice Mumba Malila has condemned the attack on former Patriotic Front (PF) secretary-general and former home affairs minister Davies Mwila at the Supreme Court in Lusaka. He called it flagrant lawlessness and an assault on the administration of justice, and security has since been tightened at the courts to protect judicial officers and the public.
Law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident, the Chief Justice said, and those responsible will face the full force of the law.
“Unruly conduct and violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” Dr Malila said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The confrontation broke out shortly after the court adjourned the Lima Constituency election petition. In that case, United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate Lee Mukupa is challenging the election of National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) candidate Kelvin Kaunda, who won the seat with 22,760 votes against Mr Mukupa’s 8,041.
Mr Mwila had attended the hearing in solidarity with Mr Kaunda. Tension rose when former PF Kabwata parliamentary aspirant Clement Tembo, who joined the UPND earlier this year, complained that Mr Mwila had insulted him and other UPND members who had come to follow the proceedings.
Mr Tembo said the former PF secretary-general had called them poverty-stricken and boasted that he had enough wealth to benefit even Mr Tembo’s next generation. Mr Mwila is also alleged to have mocked the “salt sana” slogan.
“He is misbehaving and insulting as if he is not an elderly person,” Mr Tembo said.
Mr Tembo and a group of supporters, who had been standing at the main entrance, then followed Mr Mwila into the building. Mr Mwila retreated into the reception area and ended up on the floor. Accounts differ on how he fell: some say he slipped while trying to get away, while others say one of the group knocked him down.
Court officials and onlookers restrained one man who tried to keep beating Mr Mwila as he struggled to get back on his feet. Judiciary staff, security personnel and police officers intervened and stopped the situation from escalating further.
Police officers at the scene said security would need to be reinforced when the hearing resumed later in the day before High Court judge Derrick Mulenga. Security has since been stepped up across the courts.
In his statement, Dr Malila urged everyone visiting court premises to conduct themselves with decorum, respect and dignity.
The UPND has also condemned the attack. Its Media Team described the assault as unfortunate and unacceptable in a democratic society governed by the rule of law, and called for a professional, impartial investigation free from political interference.
“No political disagreement, personal grievance or ideological difference can justify physical attacks, intimidation or the humiliation of another person,” the party said.
The UPND also rejected statements attributed to PF-Pamodzi Alliance National Youth IPS Given Gift Chibale, who linked the incident to suspected UPND cadres. It challenged him to hand any evidence to the police and said it would report the matter under the cybercrime laws. The party’s statement did not refer to Mr Tembo.
The Lima petition continues under the tighter security arrangements. Police investigations into the attack are ongoing, and no arrests have been announced.
