Ex ZB workers sues firm, State for wrongful arrest
By CHINTU MALAMBO A FORMER employee of Zambian Breweries PLC who was arrested and detained for four days on alleged theft of fuel has sued the Attorney General and his employer, demanding K1,000,000.00 damages for imprisonment and K500, 000 payment for unlawful and unfair termination of employment.
In a statement of claim field in the High Court registry, Mr Greenford Kayeye said he was suing pursuant to the State Proceedings Act, Chapter 71 of the Laws of Zambia.
Mr Kayeye alleged that he was on permanent employment with Zambian Breweries until 12th August 2016 when the company prematurely terminated his employment on false allegations that he was absent for 5 days without leave, from 8th August to 12th August 2016.
Mr Kayeye said that he was injured during the course of his work and upon receiving medical attention; he was advised by the doctors to begin therapy for one day in a week to recover from injuries.
He said that his employer further made false allegations of theft by servant against him, prior to his absence from work and that he was held in police custody for four days and was only released upon payment of police bond.
He said that he was falsely imprisoned by the Attorney General’s servants who received false, malicious and baseless allegations of theft of fuel belonging to the company.
“Prior to the alleged deliberate absence from work, Zambian Breweries made false allegations of theft by servant against me to which I was apprehended by Mr Kakoma from Kitwe Central police, the agent of the Attorney General on 5th August 2016. I was held in their custody for four days and was released on 8th August 2016 on police bond,” he said.
Mr Kayeye also said that when he returned to work on 12th August, he was sent away from work and advised to see the manager the next Monday when he received a termination letter without a chance to be heard.
He however, said that he suffered loss, embarrassment, shame and inconvenience as a result of the company’s false and vexatious allegations that led to his incarceration and thus claims interest against both defendants, cost and any other relief that the court may deem fit.