Chilufya Tayali harassment of Chief Mukuni case fails to take off

By LUCY PHIRI 

A CASE in which Economic and Equity (EEP)  leader, Chilufya Tayali is charged  with harassing Chief Mukuni  using internet yesterday failed to take off because the trial court was not present.

Lusaka Magistrate Constance Kasankala mentioned the matter on behalf of Lusaka principal magistrate Sylvia Munyinya and adjourned it to August 16 2023 for continued trial.

Tayali is charged with one count of harassment utilising means of electronic communication.

Tayali  is alleged to have  on  November 10, 2022 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, with intent to harass and cause emotional distress by use of computer system went live on his Facebook page dubbed EEP President Chilufya Tayali an online social media platform and did issue a statement against  Chief Munokaliya Siloka Mukuni in which he stated, “Chief Mukuni is behind the gassing crimes that characterized the country between 2019 and 2020 for purpose of getting Hakainde Hichilema out of prison.

On July 24, 2023, Ms Munyinya summoned Chief Mukuni to appear before her yesterday and re-testify in the matter following evidence from Assistant Director in charge of Chiefs Affairs at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development that Chief Munokaliya Siloka Mukuni of the Toka Leya speaking people of Kazungula district in Southern province is not a Senior Chief as mentioned in the charge sheet because there is no such a position.

Mr. James Chileshe said according to his records, there was no senior chief Mukuni position existing but there was only the position of chief Mukuni and not Senior Chief Mukuni because the title doesn’t exist on the records.

After Mr Chileshe’s testimony, the prosecution amended the charge sheet to that of Chief Mukuni and not senior chief.

Ms Munyinya later summoned the chief to reappear before her to testify in his capacity as chief Mukuni and not what he had testified as senior Chief Mukuni.

When the matter was called out yesterday before Lusaka resident magistrate Kasankala, State prosecutor, Fredrick Nsama informed the court that the accused persons was before court  and the matter was scheduled for mentioning because Ms Munyinya who was handling the case was not present.

Ms Kasankala adjourned the case to August 16 for continued trial and warned the witness who were before court to make sure they appear on August 16, 2023.

However, Chief Mukuni did not appear before court. 

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