By IREEN MULENGA
Former Chingola Mayor Titus Tembo has described the late Independent Observer (TIO) Director John Sakala as a straight forward person who stood for truth and his death is a big blow to the family, the media fraternity, Chingola district and the Nation at large.
The Former Mayor who was among the mourners said that TIO founder was a great person full of wisdom, a mentor and an inspiration to many.
He said Mr Sakala had a passion for his career (Journalism) and always stood his ground on reporting the facts.
“I knew John Sakala way back from the time he used to work for Times of Zambia, from that time until the time he became the Director for his own newspaper TIO, Mr Sakala was a good friend and I worked with him during my tenure of office without any problem, he always wanted to see things move smoothly,” he said.
He said the TIO Director was a Chief advisor and a unifier who united people and politicians from all walks of life through his WhatsApp group TIO politics.
The Former Mayor commended the people of Chingola and those from other Towns who found time to send off TIO founder and urged them to continue with the same spirit.
Mr Sakala 46, who died on Tuesday at Kitwe Teaching Hospital after battling with kidney failure was put to rest Yesterday at Chingola Central Cemetery.
Mr Sakala has survived with a wife and three children.
