HEALTH minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya has nodded President Edgar Lungu as the ruling party’s sole candidate for the 2021 presidential polls.
At the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court this morning, while pointing at a banner bearing President Lungu’s image with a caption “ECL PF SOLE CANDIDATE 2021” displayed by his supporters, the masked Dr Chilufya pointed at the writing and nodded in affirmation.
Escorted by PF Lusaka Province secretary Kennedy Kamba and scores of supporters, Dr Chilufya moved to another banner and again nodded in agreement while pointing at a caption reading “ECL 100% PRESIDENT 2021”.
The minister was appearing at court for the first time following his arrest by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on four charges of possession of properties reasonably believed to be proceeds of crime.
He however could not take plea this morning as Chief resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale adjourned the case to July 19 due to commotion in court which was caused by the cadres.
On Dr Chilufya’s arrest, President Edgar Lungu has said he cannot fire him on corruption allegations until he is proven guilty by the courts of law.
President Lungu has argued that the Constitution in Article 18(2) provides for presumption of innocence whenever a person is charged with a criminal offence until such an individual is proved or pleads guilty.
©Kalemba July 9, 2020
