Tayali refutes claims that he is bitter with Lungu

Zambian Voice Executive Director Chilufya Tayali

Zambian Voice Executive Director Chilufya Tayali has dismissed assertions suggesting that he has u-turned on the Mutembo Nchito tribunal because he is bitter President Edgar Lungu has not given him a job.

Mr. Tayali says he does not need a job in government because he enjoys his work at Zambian Voice where he is free to speak on behalf of the people.

He has to Qfm News that for the fact that he enjoys speaking for the people, he would have still continued to speak on their behalf whether he secured links to President Lungu or not.

Mr. Tayali says he still maintains his position that suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Nchito may not get a fair hearing from the tribunal because he still believes some members of the tribunal have issues with Mr. Nchito and are mostly likely to be biased against him.

He notes that what is however of concern to him is how members of the ruling Patriotic Front and President Lungu’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda have allegedly started campaigning that he be jailed on alleged rape charges following his new stance on the Nchito tribunal.

Mr Tayali says he has taken note that on different occasions members of the ruling party and Mr. Chanda have eluded to the court case in which he is accused of rape.

He says such actions amount to attacking and arm twisting the Judiciary to convict him on the charge of rape.

Mr. Tayali adds that such actions on the other hand show disrespect to the Judiciary which is supposed to make independent decisions as per its mandate.