FORMER Minister of Transport and Logistics and UPND Ndola Central Constituency losing candidate, Frank Tayali has told the Ndola High Court that it was abnormal to involve soldiers in the electoral processes of the August 13 elections.
TV Yatu’s #Sanfrossa Mberi reports that this is in a matter where Tayali, 51, a Lawyer by profession is challenging the election of Emmanuel Mulenga of the Resolute Party (RP) as Ndola Central Member of Parliament.
He alleges infringement on campaign freedom and electoral violence.
He also alleges that his agents were denied Gen 20 forms.
Testifying as the first petitioner witness before Judge Mwamba Chanda, Tayali also testified that he reported violence that happened in the constituency on voting day directly to Electoral Commission of Zambia -ECZ Chairperson, Mwangala Zaloumis when he spoke with her in the early hours of August 14, 2026.
He testified that he contacted the Chairperson who later told him that counting will be put on hold following his report.
The former Minister told the court that he believes that is why the second respondent (ECZ) suspended vote counting.
“My Lady, it is abnormal for soldiers to get involved in the electoral process,” he said.
Looking for the latest sports odds and markets? Check them out here.
Earlier, Tayali testified that soldiers fired shots when confusion occured at Chibolele Combined School Polling Station. He further told Court that, after soldiers fired shots, there was relative calm.
He said soldiers acted in the manner they did because the alleged supporters of Mulenga almost attacked him when he tried to access the Polling Station, in the evening when counting of votes was under way.
The petitionner also alleged that the people that threatened his life that evening were the same ones that threw stones at his voters while in the queues during the day.
“My Lady, my supporters were stoned as they tried to vote during the day and this resulted them into scampering, together with my poll agents,” he testified.
Tayali, who was twice guided by his Lawyer Chimuka Magubbwi of Magubbwi and Associates that his duty was that of a witness and not as a Lawyer, also alleged that alleged violence led to his agents protesting to sign the results sheets.
Despite evidence being produced indicating that people from the UPND signed on the documents, Tayali maintained that no individual from the party signed because they were all protesting.
But during cross-examination, it was put to him that most of his testimony was based on hearsay, as he kept mentioning one Maron Chibuye and Sandra Bwalya as his informers in most scenarios.
It was also during cross examination that video evidence was produced before court, showing Tayali while on a radio program at Rooster FM saying that he has been monitoring the command centre for the first respondent and watching the movements of its occupants.
He agreed that a video was recorded during the 90-day campaign period but could not state the exact date, adding that his statement about monitoring movements meant nothing serious, as it was figurative.
But the defence produced video evidence in court showing a different picture.
According to the video, it was the petitioner’s supporters who were attacking the first respondent’s supporters at their command centre in Northrise.
It was further heard in Court that, the video was recorded during the 90-day campaign period.
“Do you know that the command center for the respondent is located on Shiradya Road in Northrise? How were you monitoring the movements of the people that were found there?” Counsel for the 1st Respondent questioned.
“I do not know My Lady because I have never been there,” Tayali replied.
The defence also produced evidence in form of a WhatsApp message where the petitioner texted the first respondent allegedly issuing threats.
The messages were telling Mulenga that he would be dealt with once and for all.
But Tayali submitted that the message meant that he would report to relevant authorities so that justice could take its course.
Counsel for the defence were at this point amused at inconsistencies in the petitioner’s statements.
During cross-examination, Lawyers Freddie Tembo and Gideon Kalandanya of Messrs GM Legal Practitioners as well as Mulenga Kaipambe of Messrs Hara and Co. put it to Tayali that most of his testimony was based on hearsay from his supporters.
On re-examination, lawyer for the second respondent, G. Haakainsi of Messrs.LM Chambers questioned the former Minister whether he was aware that the stop of counting was not only in Ndola Central Constituency and whether he was aware that the second respondent was duty-bound to ensure integrity of the election including suspension of counting of votes.
He was also asked whether he was aware that the wrong action of political players cannot be heaped on the second respondent unless it has not acted on a protest and he said yes to all the questions.
Mulenga polled 11,659 of the total votes, while Tayali polled 10,840 votes.
©TV Yatu | Sanfrossa Mberi
🚨 DON’T MISS OUT — REGISTER HERE! Join thousands of sports fans exploring today’s betting markets and give yourself a chance to be among the winners. 18+ | Terms and conditions apply | Gamble responsibly.
