MISA Zambia is pleased to announce a significant legal victory for Mr. Stafrance Zulu, a journalist formerly employed by Zambia Daily Mail. After being wrongfully dismissed, Mr. Zulu sought legal assistance from MISA Zambia.
The Case:
In May 2023, Mr. Zulu was fired in June 2023 after being accused of gross negligence for taking a photo of people queuing for mealie-meal and sending it to his editors. He argued that he was merely following instructions and that the photo was not intended for immediate publication. Despite his explanation that he was following instructions and lacked authority to determine which photos were published, he was summarily dismissed.
Subsequently, Mr. Zulu appealed the decision, but his appeal was unsuccessful. The Labour Office also ruled against his dismissal, citing a lack of evidence for financial loss and recognizing his limited role in the publication process.
Court Ruling:
On November 19, 2024, the High Court in Ndola ruled in favor of Mr. Zulu, granting him the following relief:
- Damages for Unfair Dismissal: Equivalent to 36 months’ salary
- Payment of Accrued Defined Contribution Benefit: K241,871.70
- Interest: Short-term deposit rate from the date of complaint to judgment, then the current lending rate until full payment
MISA Zambia’s Role:
MISA Zambia provided legal support to Mr. Zulu throughout the legal process. This victory underscores the organization’s commitment to protecting press freedom and journalists’ rights.