Wed, 27 Dec 2017 12:41:07 +0000
By Simon Muntemba
I WAS whisked away for my safety by the Minister through the back door using another vehicle because PF cadres were outside waiting to pounce on me, Chilufya Tayali has said.
Mr Tayali, who is Economic and Equity Party (EPP) leader said the PF cadres stormed Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya’s office and disrupted the meeting when he went to petition the minister not to procure 50 ambulances at $288, 000.
After being in the minister’s office for over an hour, he said, the meeting was disrupted for some time by the cadres who stormed the office and demanded that he leaves immediately.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Tayali said cadres threatened to manhandle him but the minister pleaded with them. The cadres after some time went outside to wait for him so that they could clobber him when he came out.
“Yes the meeting was disrupted by the PF cadres for some time but it later took place. The PF cadres stormed the Minister’s office, they wanted me out of the office and threatened to beat me up.
“But fortunately, the minister came to my defence, he pleaded with them until finally after sometime they left the office and went outside to wait for me. But luckily, I was again whisked away using the back door by the minister using another vehicle,” Mr Tayali said.
He added, “I’m appreciating the fact that the minister was accommodative and we engaged openly though we didn’t get the answers that we wanted, he promised to give us documentation for further clarity.” Mr Tayali however, said he will give his final position on the matter after being availed with documentation pertaining to the procurement of the said ambulances.
The EEP leader earlier announced that he was going to launch a mass demonstration against the procurement of ambulances at $250, 000 each, saying he was against government going ahead with the procurement of ambulances at an exorbitant price.
Mr Tayali said he wanted to engage the minister so that he rescinds his decision.
