Court sustains Mulli gag order
The High Court has sustained a gag order for human rights activist Charles Kajoloweka not to comment on an K8 billion compensation claim by business mogul Leston Mulli and two of his companies—Sunrise Pharmaceuticals and Chombe Foods Limited.
Mulli obtained the order against Kajoloweka, who is executive director of Mzuzu-based Youth and Society (YAS), on August 30 this year after the activist commented that the K8 billion claim from government was a form of organised malfeasance to defraud Capital Hill. The activist also posted similar sentiments on his Facebook page.
In his ruling on an inter-partes hearing on the matter yesterday, Blantyre-based High Court Judge Mike Tembo said the injunction should remain in force because Kajoloweka failed to justify the publication of statements through a press statement and on his Facebook page.
Private practice lawyer Tamando Chokhotho, who is representing Mulli and his two companies, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, saying it was not right for people to comment anyhow on matters in court.
In a separate interview, Kajoloweka’s lawyer, Wesley Mwafulirwa, said they will respect the decision by the court.
The court is yet to set a date for other stages in the case which includes mediation and full hearing.
