Private practice lawyer and corruption whistleblower Alexious Kamangila has rejected a High Court ruling that found him liable for defamation in a case brought by High Court Judge Kenan Manda, as proceedings advance to the assessment of damages.
The ruling was delivered by High Court Judge Howard Pemba after the court found Kamangila in default of procedural directions issued during a scheduling conference held on March 5, 2025.
The directions required him to file witness statements and skeleton arguments within 21 days.
The decision followed an application by Judge Manda’s lawyer, Michael Goba Chipeta, who asked the court to strike out Kamangila’s defence based on non-compliance with the court-ordered timelines.
Judge Pemba allowed the matter to proceed ex parte, noting that Kamangila had failed to comply with the required procedural steps.
The court has since referred the assessment of compensatory, aggravated, and exemplary damages to the Registrar of the High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal, who will set a date for determination.
In addition, the court issued a permanent injunction restraining Kamangila, his agents, or associates from publishing or republishing the allegedly defamatory statements, or any substantially similar content concerning Judge Manda.
Kamangila has also been ordered to remove the disputed publications within 24 hours of service.
The case stems from a demand letter dated October 7, 2024, in which Judge Manda sought K250 million in damages, a public apology, and a halt to further alleged defamatory publications.
Kamangila has maintained that he does not agree with the ruling.
