Legal challenge

.. Former employee accuses CSPR of wrongful dismissal and financial irregularities

Lusaka, Zambia (29 - 11 - 2024) - The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) is facing a legal challenge from its former Eastern Province Coordinator, Samson J. D. Mbewe, who has filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful dismissal, unpaid benefits, and defamation.

Mbewe, whose employment was terminated on September 1, 2022, over allegations of gross misconduct, which he denies, has also sued his former employer, accusing CSPR of defaming him by alleging he stole four bicycles while employed by the organization.

He is seeking compensation amounting to ZMW 140,000 (approximately $13,000), which includes claims for unpaid benefits and damages for reputational harm.

He argues that his dismissal violated provisions under the Employment Code Act of 2019 and that CSPR has failed to comply with a 2023 ruling from the Provincial Labour Office, which found the termination unlawful and directed the organization to compensate him.

“I was unfairly dismissed, and despite a ruling from the labor office, no compensation has been provided,” Mbewe said during court proceedings.

The case highlights a forensic audit conducted by Ronald Corporate Services Ltd in 2023, which identified financial irregularities within CSPR, including ghost suppliers and potential misappropriation of funds, though it did not make definitive claims of fraud.

In addition to the dismissal claims, Mbewe has faced separate legal proceedings related to theft allegations, which he claims were baseless and severely damaged his reputation.

According to the claim, the case against Mbewe was dismissed in August 2024 after the accuser repeatedly failed to attend court hearings in Chipata.

“The accusations were baseless and tarnished my reputation,” Mbewe said, emphasizing the broader issues of accountability within CSPR.

According to a writ of summons filed at Chipata Magistrates' Court, Mbewe claims that the then, CSPR's Executive Director, Faides Tembatemba, defamed him during a public meeting in Chipata.

At the meeting, which took place at VNT Motel on October 3, 2022, and was attended by over 10 representatives from various civil society organizations, Tembatemba allegedly stated that CSPR would report Mbewe to the police for the theft of four bicycles.

Mbewe's lawsuit includes claims for defamation based on these statements.

Mr. Mbewe was dismissed from CSPR in September 2022 on allegations of gross misconduct, specifically for insulting a government official.

However, the Provincial Labour Office ruled the dismissal unlawful, citing procedural errors under Zambia’s Employment Code Act of 2019. The office ordered CSPR to compensate Mbewe for his unpaid dues.

Following his dismissal, Tembatemba allegedly accused Mbewe of stealing bicycles, which led to his detention on two separate occasions.

However, the theft charges were dropped in August 2024 after Tembatemba failed to appear in court for multiple hearings.