By CHARLES MUSONDA
IT is a pity that the new dawn government has continued with the defamation of the President Law, which is archaic and an infringement on human rights, says Economic Equity Party president Chilufya Tayali.
Mr. Tayali said this yesterday after the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court discontinued the case in which he was charged with one count of defaming then Republican President Edgar Lungu, following a nolle prosequi entered by the State.
The case was scheduled for continued trial yesterday but the State entered a nolle prosequi which the magistrate, Ms Alice Walusiku granted.
Mr. Tayali was arrested for accusing Mr. Lungu of influencing turmoil in Zambia by allegedly sponsoring self-proclaimed Patriotic Front “national commander” Innocent Kalimanshi to wreak havoc in the former ruling party.
Speaking to journalists after the case was discontinued, Mr. Tayali said his concern was that he was released on a nolle yesterday yet when the case started it was with full force.
He said he was treated like a cold blooded criminal as the police searched his house and his office.
“I was driven around like a criminal. After all this journey at the end of the day all the State could do is to enter a nolle. This is trampling on human rights and it should not be accepted in a democracy.
“Surely we do not need this law to be tried as a criminal matter. It could easily be tried as a civil matter. We see that people have continued being taken as criminals for having said something whether it is true or not, surely it is not criminal,” Mr. Tayali said.
He appealed to the new dawn administration to do away with laws that infringe on human rights.
He said President Hakainde Hichilema gave Zambians that hope and promise as he had suffered the same kind of persecution that some of his fellow politicians had gone through before.
“Since he is a victim we expect him to be on our side and give us that freedom. This law is not necessary, we can deal with defamation matters in civil matters not criminal matters.”
