Sat, 03 Jun 2017 13:13:16 +0000
By CHARLES MUSONDA
I WAS shocked by Chilufya Tayali’s allegation that I planned to kill the Head of State or frame Hakainde Hichilema, Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja testified in court yesterday.
And Mr. Kanganja has warned that the police would no longer tolerate people abusing others on social media.
He said Tayali’s allegation was shocking because, as Inspector General of Police, he swore to protect the Constitution of Zambia and the Republican Presidency.
This is a case in which Tayali is charged for libel, contrary to Section 191 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Tayali, on April 13, 2017, with intent to defame Mr. Kanganja, published on Facebook a statement claiming that the IG was just covering his inefficiency by charging Hichilema with treason, otherwise he should be an accomplice.
The statement added that “maybe Mr. Kanganja planned blocking of the Presidential motorcade in Mongu to kill President Lungu or frame Hichilema”.
“It was a clear indictment that I had to be charged with treason…with the foregoing, I decided to report the matter to the police because it had brought my person into hatred, contempt and ridicule. Due to this article, there was an outcry where people were calling for my resignation.
“I am Inspector General of Police for the people of Zambia, meaning that all Zambians are supposed to be protected by me. I don’t hate anyone including HH. Therefore, why should I plan to fix him or kill the President? I have no problem with Mr. Tayali, and so I don’t understand why I should be defamed in this manner,” Mr. Kanganja said.
He said it still pained him because people were still calling him about it, adding that inefficiency did not come in because his 32-year unbroken police service was not a joke.
“The Inspector General is the number one policeman and I am responsible to the government. My office has been brought into hatred, ridicule and my professional conduct is at stake. People were calling for my firing and my relationship with people is no longer what it used to be,” he said. In cross examination by Tayali who had no lawyer, Mr. Kanganja said he would be linked to the Facebook posting by corroborated evidence because other State witnesses would testify.
Magistrate Kaoma repeatedly guided Tayali on his line of questioning after which he complained that he was uncomfortable as he felt the court did not protect him. He later applied for an adjournment to July 17, 18, and 19, 2017 to enable him produce his video and audio evidence.
Mr. Kaoma then advised Tayali to get proper consultation so that he could feel comfortable next time he would be in court.
