STATE House media director Clayson Hamasaka has sued the government seeking damages for malicious and wrongful prosecution over his arrest in 2013.
In a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court and seen by #Mwebantu, Hamasaka has sued the Attorney General, also seeking damages for false imprisonment, pain and suffering.
He is further claiming compensation for lost personal items, interest, costs and any other relief the court may deem fit.
Hamasaka stated that he suffered loss of earning capacity of business, loss of reputation and injury to his personal credibility as a result of the false arrest and prosecution which led to him being shunned and isolated as he also lost his employment at Evelyn Hone College where he was a lecturer, Head of Media and station manager for Hone FM Broadcasting Station.
He stated that his arrest and subsequent prosecution for the initial charges of dealing in drugs, defamation of the President and seditious practices was widely publicized in print and electronic media both locally and internationally leading to his dismissal.
Hamasaka stated that he was an ordinary citizen plying his trade as a journalist when he was subjected to an arbitrary house and personal search on July 9, 2013 at his private dwelling place on plot number 12246 Woodlands Extension in Lusaka by a combined team of Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and Zambia Police officers and other agents of the State.
He stated that according to the search warrant, the officers were looking for drugs and other illegal substances which he was accused of dealing in.
Hamasaka stated that the search started around 23:00 hours on the July 9, 2013 and 05:00 hours the following day.
He stated that during the said search, his family could not sleep.
The plaintiff stated that the officers after the search confiscated computers, phones, a firearm, home entertainment equipment and other items.
Hamasaka stated that he was later detained at Woodlands Police Station in a very filthy and inhabitable cell for two days and was charged with defamation of the President and seditious practices.
He stated that he was released from police custody on police bond and arraigned in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on a charge of being in possession of obscene materials.
After standing trial, Hamasaka stated that he was acquitted on August 11, 2015.
He stated that he suffered damage, injury, physical and emotional pain during the detention in police cells where he was abused and assaulted by the real criminals.
Hamasaka stated that he suffered embarrassment for being associated with criminality as well as humiliation in the presence of his family, friends and members of the public.- Mwebantu