HH, Tayali consent to discontinuance of defamation case
By Staff Reporter
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema and Economic and Equity Party leader Chilufya Tayali have entered a consent in the Lusaka High Court discontinuing the case in which the latter was sued for defamation.
This was in a case in which Hichilema sued Tayali over his continued claim that he was a Freemason.
On December 7, 2017, Hichilema, through his lawyers L.M Chambers gave Tayali 48 hours in which to apologise and withdraw his statement but Tayali responded on his Facebook page that he could prove that the UPND leader practiced Freemasonry.
The matter was initially filed in the Livingstone High Court where Hichilema was granted an Interim injunction restraining Tayali from issuing any further defamatory statements.
The case was however, transferred to Lusaka High Court where parties have entered a consent.
According to the consent order filed in court, the two have agreed to discontinue the
case.
“That the defendant (Tayali) having rendered an unreserved apology to the plaintiff and undertaking not to repeat the utterances that led to the cause of this action the parities have mutually resolved to have
these proceedings discontinued and that the defendant shall have no claims against the plaintiff arising from or connected to this case or based on facts premised on the proceedings,” read the consent order in part.
Hichilema and Tayali also agreed that each party shall bear their respective costs.
