High Court of Zambia - 2021

126 judgments

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126 judgments
Citation
Judgment date
December 2021
An unwed father's prior denial of paternity and failure to assume parental duties bars inheritance absent legal recognition.
Intestate succession; putative/unwed father; parentage and legitimacy; requirement to demonstrate parental commitment or obtain declaration of parentage; biological link alone insufficient for inheritance.
29 December 2021
Sole custody granted to the applicant as being in the child’s best interests; respondent granted liberal access.
Children’s Code Act – custody orders – best interests of the child – statutory factors including child’s wishes – sole custody to primary caregiver – liberal access to non‑custodial parent – unopposed application does not remove duty to determine merits.
27 December 2021
22 December 2021
Court ordered preliminary issues under Order 14A be heard first to determine competence of application to discharge an injunction.
Civil procedure – Order 14A White Book – Preliminary issues – Notice of Motion to raise preliminary issues – Competence of application to discharge injunction – Interlocutory determination may dispose of an issue or claim.
14 December 2021
Employment Code equal-pay rules required employer to remedy salary and housing allowance disparities from 9 May 2020.
Employment law – equal pay for equal work – Employment Code s5(4) – transitional provisions and effective date (9 May 2020) – employer burden to prove remuneration policy – housing entitlement s92 – underpayment of salary, leave and gratuity.
2 December 2021
November 2021
Court permitted payment of admitted judgment debt in higher monthly instalments, finding the defendant’s proposed plan unfair and granting leave to appeal.
Civil procedure — Payment of judgment debt in instalments — Instalment orders must fairly balance debtor’s affordability and creditor’s right to prompt satisfaction; default clause enforceable. Evidence — Affidavit in reply — No leave required to file an affidavit in reply (distinct from further affidavits). Interest and costs awarded; leave to appeal granted.
30 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove, to the high standard required, that violence was attributable to the candidate or his appointed agents to annul the election.
Electoral law – election petition – standard and burden of proof higher than ordinary civil cases – misconduct must be by candidate or his named election/polling agents or with their knowledge/consent – allegations of widespread violence and intimidation – agency and attribution – unpleaded grounds in submissions impermissible – ECZ investigatory and administrative powers.
26 November 2021
26 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove, to the high standard required, that misconduct or non-compliance invalidated the election result.
Electoral law — election petition — standard of proof (fairly high degree of convincing clarity) — allegations of bribery, intimidation, illegal rallies and document discrepancies — requirement to prove misconduct by candidate or his duly appointed agents — prescribed objection procedures (section 70) — non-compliance must be widespread to affect result.
26 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove widespread corrupt practices affecting majority of voters; election upheld and petition dismissed.
Electoral law — election petition — section 97 Electoral Process Act — allegations of bribery, distribution of goods, threats and abuse of government resources — high standard of proof in election petitions — requirement to prove widespread effect on majority of voters — conduct of electoral commission — dismissal of petition.
25 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove widespread electoral malpractice or candidate/agent involvement; election upheld.
Election law — corrupt and illegal practices (treating, vote buying, ferrying voters) — agency and attribution — standard of proof in election petitions (fairly high degree of convincing clarity) — GEN20 forms and transparency at totaling centres.
24 November 2021
Election petition alleging vote‑buying and result tampering failed for lack of proof linking misconduct to candidate or affecting majority.
Election law — corrupt and illegal practices — vote‑buying and treating — burden and standard of proof in election petitions — identification of candidate's agents — GEN20 forms and result integrity — access to totaling centre and transparency — substantial compliance doctrine.
24 November 2021
Petitioners failed to prove respondent-linked, widespread malpractice to annul the parliamentary election.
Election law – Section 97 EPA – nullification threshold; bribery and treating – proof and widespread effect; undue influence and threats; election agent and polling agent liability; standard of proof higher than balance of probabilities; ECZ procedural irregularities but no substantial effect on result.
24 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove widespread corrupt practices or misconduct preventing voters’ choice; election upheld.
Electoral Process Act s97; election petitions—burden and standard of proof; corrupt and illegal practices; vote buying and relief goods; misuse of state resources; electoral violence and intimidation; requirement that misconduct be widespread and by candidate or his election/polling agents.
24 November 2021
Isolated misconduct proved but not widespread enough to vitiate the election; petition dismissed.
Electoral law – impersonation (s82) – undue influence and false allegations (s83; Reg 15(1)(c)) – standard of proof in election petitions – requirement that misconduct be widespread to vitiate election – substantial conformity by electoral commission (s97(4)).
24 November 2021
Petitioners failed to prove widespread illegal registration, bribery or misconduct that affected the Milanzi election result.
Electoral law — election petitions — standard and burden of proof under s.97(2) Electoral Process Act — alleged foreign voter registration and ferrying — bribery/treating and undue influence by officials and traditional leaders — opened ballot boxes/GEN20 anomalies — substantial compliance and effect on result.
24 November 2021
Applicant failed to prove bribery, undue influence or widespread non-compliance sufficient to nullify the respondent’s election.
Election petitions – elevated civil standard of proof; bribery and corrupt treating – requirement to prove candidate/agent involvement; undue influence/violence – must be widespread or likely to affect majority of voters; corroboration required for partisan witnesses; non-compliance with campaign rules and effect on result.
23 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove widespread, agent‑attributable electoral malpractice; election and nomination challenge time limits not met.
Electoral law — election petitions — burden and standard of proof (fairly high degree of convincing clarity); candidate liability limited to acts of personally appointed election/polling agents or with candidate’s consent; nomination challenges subject to Article 52(4) time limits; vote‑buying, ferrying, intimidation and treating require independent corroboration and proof of widespread effect to annul election; philanthropy distinguished from bribery.
23 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove widespread illegal practices, forged documentation, or candidate’s culpability; election upheld.
Electoral law — election petition — standard of proof higher than balance of probabilities — allegations of foreign registration, bribery, misuse of government resources and violence — need for authenticated documentary/electronic evidence and credible non-partisan witnesses — candidate liable only for acts by appointed election/polling agents or acts done with candidate’s knowledge, consent or approval — election upheld.
23 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove bribery, widespread defamation, or attributable violence; election upheld and petition dismissed.
Election law — parliamentarian election petition; standard of proof; bribery vs philanthropic gifts; character assassination (defamation) — requirement of widespread effect; undue influence/intimidation; ECZ non-compliance.
22 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove corrupt practices, undue influence or ECZ breaches of sufficient scale to void the parliamentary election.
Electoral law — corrupt and illegal practices; undue influence and intimidation; use of government facilities for campaigning; standard and burden of proof in election petitions; requirement of widespread effect to void election; judicial review of ECZ conduct.
22 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove corrupt or widespread electoral misconduct sufficient to annul the respondent's election.
Electoral law – election petition – burden and standard of proof; corrupt and illegal practices (bribery, undue influence, use of government property); attribution to candidate via election/polling agents; requirement that misconduct be widespread or affect result; ECZ procedural breaches and substantial conformity threshold.
22 November 2021
Whether alleged widespread electoral malpractices and candidate ineligibility nullified the parliamentary election; petitioners failed to prove.
Electoral law — Election petitions — Burden and elevated standard of proof — Corrupt and illegal practices — Liability only for acts by candidate or his nominated election/polling agents or with candidate’s knowledge/consent — Widespread malpractice requirement — Corroboration of partisan witnesses — Candidate qualification (Examinations Council verification) — Article 52(4) nomination challenge timing.
22 November 2021
Alleged irregularities proved in part but not widespread or material; election held valid, petition dismissed.
Electoral law – election petition standard of proof; corrupt/undue influence; distinction between government programmes and party activity; ECZ duties on voter identity; materiality of irregularities to result.
22 November 2021
Whether violence and intimidation by the respondent and supporters nullified the election result.
Electoral law – election petition – burden and standard of proof (high degree of convincing clarity); electoral offences – bribery/vote buying and removal of campaign material – insufficient proof; intimidation, undue influence and violence – proved in key wards; voter registration issues – possession of valid NRC and voter card is prima facie compliance; preliminary procedural issue – security for costs objection dismissed; relief – election nullified, petitioner not declared elected; leave to appeal granted.
22 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove widespread electoral malpractice; respondent’s election upheld and petition dismissed.
Electoral law – Election petitions – Electoral Process Act s97(2)(a),(b) – Standard of proof: fairly high degree of convincing clarity – Majority clause requires widespread misconduct preventing majority of voters’ choice – Undue influence, bribery, treating, ferrying, philanthropic activity versus corrupt practice – Agent attribution and knowledge/consent – Substantial compliance by electoral commission – GEN forms and procedural omissions.
22 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove intimidation or widespread malpractices sufficient to vitiate the parliamentary election.
Election petition – higher standard of proof – burden on petitioner to prove corrupt/illegal practice by candidate or with candidate’s knowledge – intimidation and invasion of privacy require proof of agent link – malpractice must be widespread to affect majority of voters – partisan witness evidence requires independent corroboration – ECZ assistance to illiterate voters lawful.
19 November 2021
Petitioner proved episodes of violence involving the respondent, but must also show misconduct was widespread enough to deny the majority a free choice.
Election law – burden and standard of proof in election petitions; corrupt/illegal practices and misconduct; undue influence and use of government resources; violence and intimidation at polling stations; requirement that misconduct be widespread (majority of voters) under s97(2)(a).
19 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove widespread misconduct or unlawful tabulation; election upheld and petition dismissed.
Electoral law — election petition — section 97(2) E.P.A. — standard of proof — undue influence/violence — publication on social media — bribery/vote‑buying — GEN 20 forms and totaling centre irregularities — requisites for annulment.
19 November 2021
Election annulled because the winning candidate lacked the constitutionally required Grade 12 qualification despite isolated misconduct findings.
Electoral law – parliamentary election petition – misconduct (bribery/vote buying) – procedural irregularities in Gen 20 forms – eligibility requirement (Grade 12) – effect on result – substantial compliance test.
19 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove misconduct by the candidate or his agents to annul the parliamentary election.
Electoral law – Election petition – Section 97(2) Electoral Process Act – Standard of proof: fairly high degree of convincing clarity – Burden on petitioner – Undue influence, bribery, vote alteration, missing GEN20 forms and non-conducive totaling centre – Candidate liability limited to acts by candidate or appointed election/polling agents or with candidate’s knowledge/consent – Recount/scrutiny relief not available at this stage.
19 November 2021
Bribery and undue influence proved in part, but not shown to be widespread enough to annul the election.
Electoral law — Election petition — Bribery (vote‑buying) and undue influence proven in part — Requirement that malpractice be "widespread" so as to affect majority of voters — Standard and burden of proof in election petitions — Sections 81, 83 and 97 Electoral Process Act; Electoral Code of Conduct; role and admissibility of witness evidence; uncertified civic organisation (GOZA) allegations.
19 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove misconduct or material irregularity attributable to the candidate; election upheld, limited costs awarded.
Electoral law — Election petition — Misconduct (violence, intimidation, vote‑buying) — Link to candidate or agents — Procedural irregularities (Gen 20 forms v Form 19) — Burden and elevated standard of proof — Substantial compliance with Electoral Process Act.
19 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove widespread corrupt practices or ECZ non‑compliance sufficient to void the election.
Election law – standard of proof in election petitions ("fairly high degree of convincing clarity") – elements for voiding an election under s.97(2)(a) – candidate’s liability limited to acts by the candidate or with knowledge/consent of appointed election/polling agents – GEN 20/formal irregularities do not automatically vitiate results – recount/verification requires formal application.
18 November 2021
Alleged corrupt practices and irregularities were mostly localized or unproven; illegal ‘foot‑soldier’ recruitment found but did not change result.
Electoral petition — burden and standard of proof (fairly high degree of convincing clarity); partisan evidence requires corroboration; corrupt/illegal practices (voter-card buying, bribery, undue influence, distribution of social cash, food); tribal/ethnic campaigning; intimidation by traditional leaders; political violence and state security actions at polling stations; denial of polling agents/GEN 20 forms by electoral officers — substantial conformity test; recruitment of registered voters as 'foot soldiers' may constitute bribery but must be shown to have affected result.
17 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove widespread electoral malpractice; court upheld the declared winner and dismissed the petition.
Electoral law – election petition standard of proof – Section 97 EPA; GEN 20a signature omissions; vote buying/treating; misuse of government resources; widespread misconduct requirement; validity of declaration/reprint dates; burden of proof in election disputes.
17 November 2021
Petitioner failed to prove that electoral malpractices were committed by the respondent or his duly appointed agent to annul the election.
Electoral law – election petition standard of proof higher than civil standard; liability limited to candidate or duly appointed election/polling agents; partisan and hearsay evidence requires independent corroboration; bribery, treating and ferrying not attributable without proof of appointment, knowledge or consent; arson and misuse of government vehicle not sufficiently proved.
2 November 2021
October 2021
Charging order nisi granted and made absolute to enforce unpaid taxed costs against the plaintiff's registered properties.
Charging order nisi; Order 48 r6(d) HCR; enforcement of taxed costs; Order 50 r1(2) RSC/White Book procedure; execution against registered land; ex parte applications; making nisi absolute for non-attendance.
28 October 2021
A challenge to land re-entry after the 12-year limitation period is statute-barred, defeating any derivative title transfers.
Limitation of actions — Recovery of land — Limitation Act 1939 s.4(3) — 12-year bar — Challenge to re-entry — Order 14A and Order 33(7) application to determine legal issue — Derivative title fails where grantor's claim is statute-barred.
13 October 2021
Appeal allowing in part: refund for 600 bags replaced by return/payment for 300 bags; trial court failed to address maize quality.
Contract for sale of goods – delivery and quality final upon issuance of Goods Issued Note – seizure by police and conversion issues – measure of refund/damages – appellate review of factual findings.
12 October 2021
September 2021
Loan default established; equitable mortgage over disputed subdivision not proven, but guarantor’s house and vehicle enforceable to satisfy debt.
Equitable mortgage – Creation and proof – Consistent property description and surrender of title deed required; Loan default – entitlement to judgment; Foreclosure and enforcement – guarantor’s property and vehicle enforceable; Sale of confiscated movables – application to reduce indebtedness; Procedure – Originating summons under Order 30 Rule 14.
24 September 2021
The applicant failed to show the arbitral award offended public policy; the court refused to set it aside.
Arbitration — setting aside arbitral award — public policy — narrow, high threshold; scope of arbitration; mistakes of law apparent on face; Rule 23 compliance; finality of arbitral awards.
20 September 2021
Supplier proved delivery of stationery by LPOs/invoices; awarded K253,770 with interest and costs despite lack of registration.
Contract/Sale of Goods - Proof of delivery and payment - Sufficiency and authenticity of LPOs and invoices - Supplier registration - Procurement procedure irregularities - Quantum and interest against the State.
16 September 2021
A written loan agreement binds the parties despite payment in local currency; interest assessment referred to Registrar under statutory framework.
Contract law – written loan facility – parol evidence rule – payment in local currency does not vary clear written terms – interest computation under Banking and Financial Services Act – referral to Registrar – interest thereafter at 1% above LIBOR – costs to successful lender.
14 September 2021
Eyewitness and circumstantial evidence, including a dying declaration, established the accused's guilt; provocation and self‑defence rejected and death sentence imposed.
Criminal law – Murder – Circumstantial and eyewitness evidence – Identity of assailant – Dying declaration admissibility and weight – Provocation and self‑defence – Voluntariness of confession – Mandatory death sentence.
2 September 2021
August 2021
Court refused to pierce the corporate veil or join post-judgment parties, dismissing applications for joinder and charging order.
Company law – Piercing corporate veil – Requirement of proof of intentional fraud or sham; Director's liability – Non-executive director not personally liable absent fraud; Civil procedure – Appeal from Deputy Registrar is rehearing de novo; Joinder post-judgment and charging order – impermissible without grounds to lift veil; Evidence – objection to scandalous affidavit paragraphs allowed.
31 August 2021
30 August 2021
Plaintiff failed to prove driver or employer negligence, but insurer liable under a direct claim; damages to be assessed.
Road traffic accident; negligence—duty, breach, causation; evidential weight of police reports; need for expert evidence on excessive speed; vicarious liability; Section 90 Road Traffic Act—direct claim against insurer; assessment of damages; costs; leave to appeal.
29 August 2021
Court struck out clause converting security to sale, revised excessive interest, ordered revised judgment debt and mortgage remedies.
Money-lenders Act — excessive interest — statutory requirement to express or compute annual rate — unconscionable terms; equitable mortgage by deposit of title deeds; clog on equity of redemption — conversion clause void; estoppel cannot validate statutory non-compliance; revision of interest and mortgage remedies.
26 August 2021
Court awarded sole custody to the respondent parent, prioritising the child’s welfare under s.15(2) over living arrangements with grandparents.
Family law — Child custody — Welfare of the child paramount (s.15(2) Affiliation and Maintenance Act) — No automatic parental or maternal presumption — Court to consider whole circumstances and best interests.
26 August 2021