Ten year old is seeking K62 million from the proprietors of Celines Academy in Lusaka West after suffering a serious injury to his dominant right hand while at school.
The ten year old pupil, through his guardian and next friend Bruce Mulenga, has sued Fredrick Lihusha and Levina Namalambo Chobana, both trading as Celines Academy, alleging negligence over the March 10, 2026 incident.
Court documents state that during lunch hour, the pupil and five friends asked a teacher for an activity to keep them occupied, but were allegedly told the school grounds were not open and to find something else to do.
The children then played “Pomo Dinda,” a game involving kicking a bottle and chasing the child between whose legs it passed.
The claim states that while playing without supervision, the pupil was chased and beaten by his friends and, as he attempted to touch a classroom window, he was pushed into the glass, which shattered on impact.
He suffered a deep laceration to his right forearm and hand, with a medical report indicating transected tendons and radial and ulnar neurovascular injuries.
The claim further states that he was not taken to hospital in time, resulting in substantial blood loss and ischemia.
The ten year old pupil later underwent surgery to revascularise his right hand, including harvesting a vein graft from his right leg, followed by a second operation on April 7 to repair the flexor tendons and damaged nerves.
He remains on physiotherapy and clinical follow-up and has been unable to return to school because the injured hand is the one he uses to write.
His guardian says the impairment could affect his future education and vocational prospects, particularly careers requiring the use and dexterity of his right hand.
The ten year old is seeking over K1 million in special damages for medical treatment, transport and other recovery-related expenses, together with K60 million in general damages for disability and future loss of earning capacity, future medical care and rehabilitation, pain and suffering, psychological trauma and emotional distress, as well as exemplary and punitive damages.
The school proprietors have denied liability following a demand for compensation issued in June.
The matter is before the High Court, where Jabese is seeking compensation, interest, costs and any other relief the court may deem fit.
By Josphat Hamakala
