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Principal Registry Lusaka - 2024 November

10 judgments
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10 judgments
November 2024
Joyce Mutunda Kaswaya v Christopher Mutinta Kaswaya (2024/HPF/D230) [2024] ZMHC 400 (29 November 2024)
Petitioner established irretrievable breakdown from respondent's cumulative unreasonable behaviour; decree nisi granted, property matters referred to Registrar.
  • Divorce — irretrievable breakdown — unreasonable behaviour (s.9(1)(b)) — cumulative conduct — denial of conjugal rights; jurisdiction — residence/domicile; proof on balance of probabilities; property settlement referral; costs — each party bears own; leave to appeal granted
29 November 2024
Percy Mussa v William Tembo (2020/HP/0448) [2024] ZMHC 280 (28 November 2024)
Default judgment set aside because defendant raised an arguable defence despite an unconvincing explanation for default.
  • Civil procedure — setting aside default judgment — primary consideration is an arguable defence on the merits — explanation for default relevant but secondary — seizure under warrant of distress alleged — costs and leave to appeal.
28 November 2024
Sharon Muzungu Makungu v Emmanuel Bwalya Makungu (2024/HPF/D561) [2024] ZMHC 269 (22 November 2024)
Decree nisi granted for two‑year separation; petitioner awarded custody; maintenance and property issues referred to Registrar; costs shared.
  • Family law — Divorce — Matrimonial Causes Act s.8 and s.9(1)(d) — Two years' continuous separation as ground for divorce — Decree nisi — Custody awarded to petitioner — Maintenance and property settlement referred to Registrar — Costs each party to bear.
22 November 2024
Alice Sinkala v Andrew Tanganyika (2024/HPF/D484) [2024] ZMHC 396 (21 November 2024)
Uncontested divorce granted for two years’ separation; petitioner granted custody; property settlement referred to Registrar.
  • Family law — Divorce — Matrimonial Causes Act ss.8 and 9(1)(d) — two years’ continuous separation — decree nisi granted; Custody — petitioner awarded custody with respondent access; Property settlement — referred to Registrar where matter uncontested; Costs — each party to bear own costs
21 November 2024
Chilanga Cement Plc v Changzhou Zambia Resources Company Limited (2024/HP/1148) [2024] ZMHC 342 (21 November 2024)
Court granted an interim injunction restraining defendant's mining and use of plaintiff's titled land pending final determination.
  • Interim injunction — trespass to land — registered title as prima facie right — balance of convenience — irreparable injury — Order 27 Rule 1 High Court Rules — unopposed application/service.
21 November 2024
Brenda Nyati Ndhlovu v Jator Ndhlovu (2024/HPF/D477) [2024] ZMHC 403 (19 November 2024)
Divorce granted for five-year separation; petitioner awarded custody; maintenance/property matters referred to Registrar.
  • Matrimonial Causes Act — Divorce for irretrievable breakdown — Continuous separation of five years — Decree nisi — Custody of children and access — Maintenance and property settlement referred to Registrar
19 November 2024
Armsafety Security Limited v Christabel Bupe Mwamba and Anor (2024/HP/403) [2024] ZMHC 257 (15 November 2024)
Amendment allowed where new relief arises from the original repudiation claim based on post‑writ events; respondents awarded costs.
  • Civil procedure — Amendment of pleadings (Order 18 Rule 1) — Distinction between new cause of action and post‑writ facts giving rise to additional remedies — Prejudice, costs and relation‑back.
15 November 2024
Job Mabuti v Dr. Henry Mbushi, S.C (T/A HBM Advocates) (2023/HP/1251) [2024] ZMHC 287 (15 November 2024)
A legal practitioner may not withhold client judgment funds to satisfy unpaid fees; must render a bill and sue.
  • Legal practitioners — withholding client funds — right of lien — prohibited; recovery of fees requires bill, one‑month wait and court proceedings (Order L Rule 2; Legal Practitioners Act); Order 14A RSC used to determine dispositive legal question.
15 November 2024
Simon Tongowana Kapuya v the People (HPA/28/2024) [2024] ZMHC 306 (15 November 2024)
Conviction quashed where prosecution relied on inadmissible hearsay and failed to prove procurement and mens rea.
  • Criminal law — Procuring execution of documents by false pretences (s.354 Penal Code) — Mens rea and actus reus — Hearsay evidence inadmissible where witness did not personally hear or witness statements or handover — Prima facie case under s.206 Criminal Procedure Code — Conviction on single witness unsafe where evidence is hearsay and uncorroborated.
15 November 2024
Kumamwa Moliya (suing as Headwoman Mwachinondo) and Ors v Marvin Mbaimbi Mohamed and Ors (2023/HP/1801) [2024] ZMHC 193 (4 November 2024)
Relitigation of alleged fraudulent land conversion held to be res judicata and an abuse of court process.
  • Res judicata — relitigation of land ownership and alleged fraudulent conversion; abuse of court process — multiplicity of litigation; Order 14A Whitebook — determination of questions of law without full trial; onus to prove fraudulent land conversion; injunction discharged.
4 November 2024