Lusaka businessman sues State demanding K17m compensation

A BUSINESSMAN of Mandevu compound who claims to have contracted HIV while in prison, has sued the State demanding K17 million damages for false imprisonment and damage to his health.

Mr Gerald Sinkamba in his statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court alleges that while in detention at Lusaka Central Police Station for more than 17 months, he contracted numerous diseases and conditions including Tuberculosis, HIV and Anaemia which led to his admission at University Teaching Hospital.

Mr Sinkamba said he was on February 2, 2022, arrested and detained at Lusaka Central Police Station on allegations of aggravated robbery .

He said he sustained serious injuries and was denied access to medical care despite the court ordering so.

After a long trial before the High Court, he was on July 13, 2023, acquitted of all allegations for failure by the prosecution to adduce any evidence linking him to the alleged offence.

Mr Sinkamba is demanding special damages for loss of income and damages for present and prospective medical expenses in the sum of K3 million, damages for loss of amenities of life as a result of his current health status in the sum of K2 million.

He is also seeking damages for unlawful detention for a period of 10 weeks in the sum of K3 million and another K2 million for assault and battery.

He also wants the State to pay him damages for malicious prosecution including aggravated and exemplary damages in respect of the offence of aggravated robbery in the sum of K5 million and K2 million for physical injury, pain, suffering and mental anguish suffered.