Maria Zaloumis, popularly known as the “Zed Farmer,” and her spouse have denied beating, torturing, mistreating, or injuring the late Enock Simfukwe after he was apprehended at her farm in Kabwe, Central Province.
This is in a matter in which Grace Nachilima, the mother of the deceased, has sued Maria Zaloumis and her husband, Nathaniel Barthram, in the Lusaka High Court, demanding K21 million in damages for the alleged torture and death of her son.
In response to the plaintiff’s submissions, Zaloumis and her spouse state that Enock was not beaten but was only questioned about his presence at the farm, after which he allegedly confessed that he had been sent to pour acid at the farm.
They further state that Enock was merely restrained for about an hour as they waited for police officers to arrive, having reported the presence of a suspicious intruder at the farm.
They argue that the plaintiff is not entitled to any of the claims made in the statement of claim.
The 17-year-old Enock was allegedly unlawfully detained on August 16, 2025, after reportedly being bound with rope and severely beaten.
He died the following day, with a post-mortem report issued on August 20 confirming brain contusion as the cause of death.
Maria Zaloumis, her spouse, and three others are facing manslaughter charges and are currently out on bail.
By Cecilia Kayaya Mporokoso
