Claim
Two articles received through the iVerify WhatsApp tip line on 19th November 2021claimed the High Court had nullified the election of Bowman Lusambo as Member of Parliament for Kabushi, and the election of Joseph Malanji as Member of Parliament for Kwacha. These reports were amplified on various social media platforms and news websites, including The Mast, Millennium Radio, Diamond TV, just to mention a few. Mr Lusambo and Mr Malanji are members of the Patriotic Front who served in ministerial positions during the previous Patriotic Front administration.
Rating Justification
The fact checking process has determined as true the claim that the High Court nullified the election of Mr. Bowman Lusambo as Member of Parliament for Kabushi, and that of Mr Joseph Malanji as Member of Parliament for Kwacha. During a phone interview with the iVerify fact checking team, lawyer Mr. Jonas Zimba who represented Mr. Lusambo in court confirmed his client’s seat had indeed been nullified. Mr. Zimba could however not share additional details saying they planned to to appeal the court ruling. On the other hand, Mr. Joseph Malanji issued a video statement explaining the nullification of his seat, and expressed his intentions to appeal the ruling. Mr. Bowman Lusambo’s election as Kabushi Constituency Member of Parliament was nullified on the grounds of electoral malpractices, while Mr Malanji’s election as Kwacha Constituency Member of Parliament was nullified because he does not have a Grade 12 certificate.
