Kamangila presses High Court for hearing date in defamation row with Judge Manda

Trained lawyer Alexious Kamangila has written to the High Court demanding it fix a date for hearing his application, arguing that the court has sat on the matter for close to two months without action.

In a letter dated 11 September 2026, Kamangila renewed his complaint that his case is being treated differently from an earlier application brought by his opponent in the matter, Judge Kenan Manda, whom he was found to have defamed.

The court had previously explained the difference in treatment by noting that Kamangila’s application was filed inter partes — requiring both sides to be heard — while Manda’s earlier application had proceeded ex parte, without Kamangila’s participation. Kamangila maintains, however, that the resulting delay is unfair.

The registry has also raised a separate issue with the lawyer, asking him to account for why he broadcast a scheduling conference live on Facebook without the court’s authorisation. Assistant Registrar Benjamin Chulu said the court has evidence that Kamangila was streaming during the virtual proceedings and wants an explanation before the application can next be heard.

Responding to that query, Kamangila defended his decision to livestream the conference, arguing that the case — which involves allegations made against a sitting judge — has drawn significant public interest.

He contended that court proceedings of this nature are public by design, and that broadcasting them serves the principle that justice must not only be done, but be seen to be done.

The dispute between the two men has played out publicly since 2024. It reached a significant milestone in May 2026, when the High Court ruled against Kamangila, ordering him to pay damages to Manda for defamation.

The current application appears to form part of continuing proceedings arising from that case, though the specific nature of Kamangila’s pending motion was not detailed in correspondence made available.