A grieving mother has taken Maria Zaloumis and her husband Nathaniel Barthram to the Lusaka High Court demanding K21 million damages for the alleged torture and death of her son.
Grace Nachilima, mother to deceased Enock Simfukwe Kasengele, is suing the couple for gross neglect and violent conduct they claim led to her son’s death in August of this year.
Kasengele was allegedly unlawfully detained on August 16, 2025. The court filed indicates that once detained, Kasengele was allegedly bound with ropes and beaten severely and treated in a derogatory manner. He purportedly died the following day with a diagnosis of brain contusion. A post-mortem report issued on August 20 confirms that brain contusion was the cause of death.
In pleadings submitted to the court, an attaches video that the plaintiffs argue is well known in circulation during which the defendants are seen interrogating and assaulting Kasengele and ultimately disregarded Kasengele’s visible pain and suffering and pleas for his release.
The plaintiff argues the defendants committed an infringement on the deceased’s constitutional rights to life and liberty. She also says she has suffered severe mental anguish, including tremors, after watching the video of her son’s ordeal, and has since sought therapy.
Ms. Nachilima is demanding compensation under the following heads of damages:
Negligence causing death – K5 million
Dependency (Fatal Accidents Act) – K10 million
Loss of expectation of life – K3 million
Funeral expenses – K250,000
Mental anguish and trauma – K3,658,201
The total claim stands at K21,908,201.
©️ Zambia Reports | September 28th, 2025.