Police yesterday picked Chilufya Tayali and charged him with libel for alleging that Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja planned to kill President Egdar Lungu or to frame UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema on his Facebook Page.

Around 15:00 hours yesterday, Tayali called News Diggers! and complained that he had been beaten.

“I have been beaten but I cannot talk much right now. I am going to Kabwata Police,” said Tayali.

And at 16:15, Tayali announced that he had been arrested on his Facebook page.

In a statement today, police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo confirmed the arrest; saying Tayali had been arrested over a Facebook posting.

“Yes, Chilufya Tayali was picked up yesterday in connection with his statement on his Facebook page against the Inspector General of Police where he stated that Mr Kakoma Kanganja was covering his inefficiencies to Charge HH with treason and further insinuated that Mr Kanganja planned what transpired in Mongu to kill the President. He has been charged with Libel contrary to section 191 of the Penal Code. He is currently detained in Police custody,” stated Katongo.