TAYALI, HH ENTER CONSENT JUDGEMENT

OPPOSITION party leader, Chilufya Tayali has entered into a consent judgement in favour of Hakainde Hichilema in the defamation case where he accused the UPND president of having corruptly benefitted from the 1990s privatisation programme. Hichilema was demanding K100 million from Tayali.According to the consent judgement singed yesterday before Lusaka high court Judge Chinyanwa, Mr Tayali, who is president for the Economic and Equity Party (EEP) has agreed to render an apology to Mr Hichilema on his Facebook. “That the defendant herein retracts and unreservedly apologies for the defamatory remarks made against the plaintiff on 15th November 2020,as complained by the plaintiff herein. Further the defendant shall render a written apology on his Facebook page within 48 hours after execution of the consent.“The parties undertake to engage each other mutually as they exercise their freedom of expression; That each party shall bear its own costs,” the two parties have agreed.In this matter, Mr Hichilema was seeking a permanent interim injunction to stop Mr Tayali from talking about his role in the 1990s privatisation process. He said Mr Tayali is “…a struggling leader of an insignificant political party that attempts to gain its popularity by vilifying the plaintiff (HH),” the claim reads in part. He said he has never acted as receiver, manager or liquidator of Lima Bank as alleged by the EEP president or at all did he acquire the said farm no. 1924, Kalomo through the said Lima Bank (in liquidation) but bought the same from the estate of the late Samson Siatembo through his heirs and assignees as will be demonstrated at trial. But Mr Tayali in his defence submitted that his alleged words that Mr Hichilema corruptly benefitted from privatisation of state assets were not defamatory but a statement of truth.He said he uttered words as fair comment on a matter of public interest.