By 
Former Mapatizya Member of Parliament (MP), Clive Miyanda, has taken his political rivalry with incumbent MP Emeldah Munashabantu to the High Court, accusing her of mounting a sustained and malicious campaign to destroy his reputation ahead of the 2026 general elections.
In a statement of claim filed before the High Court, Miyanda alleges that Munashabantu defamed him by circulating statements portraying him as mentally unstable, abusive and unfit to hold public office—claims he says were intended to permanently shut him out of political life.
Miyanda, who previously represented Mapatizya Constituency in Zimba District of Southern Province, told the court that the alleged defamatory campaign was largely carried out through social media, particularly a WhatsApp group known as Mapatizya United Constituency Family, which reportedly had about 598 members at the time.
According to the claim, Munashabantu published statements in September 2025 accusing Miyanda of abusing traditional leaders, forcing people to drink urine on allegations of witchcraft, and violently chasing villagers in a bid to secure grazing land for his cattle.
“The words,” Miyanda said, “were calculated to expose, portray him to hatred, ridicule and public contempt,” he said.
The former MP further stated that on November 28, 2025, Munashabantu escalated the attacks by publishing fresh statements suggesting that he was no longer “normal,” and was medically and mentally unfit to function, work or contest any public office.
The words, he argued, left a clear impression that he was incapable of leadership.
On the same day, Munashabantu allegedly accused Miyanda of paying individuals up to K5,000 each to insult her—an allegation he dismissed as a fabrication driven by malice and political vendetta.
Miyanda told the court that the statements were entirely false and were deliberately intended to poison the minds of voters against him as the 2026 elections approached.
He said the damage to his reputation was severe and irreparable, reducing him to public ridicule and branding him as mentally ill.
Through his lawyers, Miyanda demanded a retraction and public apology in a letter dated December 8, 2025, along with compensation of K5 million for defamation and a written undertaking to desist from further defamatory statements.
He said the letter was ignored.
He is now seeking damages for defamation, exemplary and punitive damages, an injunction restraining Munashabantu from making further defamatory remarks, interest on any sums awarded, and costs.
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