MWANDI ELECTION PETITION: SEFULO DENIES LOSING DUE TO CHARACTER ASSASSINATION
By Andrew Mukoma
UPND Mwandi parliamentary candidate Sibeso Sefulo has denied claims that she lost the August 13 parliamentary election because she focused on attacking the character of her rival, Iris Kamwi Kaingu, instead of campaigning on issues.
Sefulo, who polled 6,110 votes against Kaingu’s 6,595, told the court during cross-examination that she was not sure who won the election, saying the results were announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
She has alleged that the election was marred by bribery, corruption and undue influence on voters by Kaingu’s agents, allegedly with her knowledge and consent, as well as irregularities in the electoral process by the ECZ.
Meanwhile, Mazabuka High Court Judge Willie Sinyangwe, sitting at the Mongu High Court, struck out paragraphs 12, 20, 21 and 22 of Sefulo’s petitioners’ statement following objections by Kaingu’s lawyers.
Lawyer Isaac Simbeye argued that the paragraphs introduced names of individuals allegedly connected to electoral violence in Mwandi and a post-verification exercise report that had not been pleaded in the petition or disclosed in the affidavit verifying the facts.
However, Sefulo’s lawyer, Mulenga Mwango of MAK Partners, defended the paragraphs, arguing that the allegations of bribery and corruption had already been raised in the petition.
Mwango told the court that paragraph 12 sought to provide evidence of the alleged corrupt acts and identify those who allegedly orchestrated them.
During cross-examination, Sefulo also declined to estimate the number of votes she would have received if the 12 G20 forms she presented in court had been correctly completed, describing the question as unfair.
She, however, agreed that Kaingu’s supporters were at liberty to vote for President Hakainde Hichilema.
Kaingu is represented by Isaac Simbeye, Rebecca Muswana and Violet Munasinyangwe of Malisa and Partners Legal Practitioners, while the ECZ is represented by Silas Mambwe and Amos Siwila of Mambwe Siwila and Lisimba Advocates.
Sefulo is also represented by Chimanga Mbulo of MAK Partners.
The petition is before the Mongu High Court, where the allegations and objections are being considered as part of the proceedings.
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