Dr Mumba wishes to condemn in the strongest words possible this affront and assault of the democratic process through the infringement of freedom of the press and intimidation of Journalist.
The search and subsequent arrest of Journalist Clayson Hamasaka and Thomas Zyambo by the drug enforcement agency is an abuse of the law enforcement agencies by the Government of the Patriotic Front.
This attempt at suppression of information and of conscience does not change the deteriorating situation in Zambia, nor does it prevent the accelerated loses of confidence in the Patriotic Front government by the People of Zambia. This abuse of power by the Patriotic Front government does not deliver the Freedom of Information Bill, which was promised to be enacted within 90 days.
Instead, we see a government that does not respect freedom of expression going to draconian measures to stump out all alternative voices so that they can create a one party state. Detaining journalist by the Patriotic Front Police and Drug Enforcement Agencies, without due process of the law, and in the absence of a state of emergency is not only illegal but a betrayal to the democratic gains consolidated by the MMD in its last 10 years in office.
This is indeed behaviour synonymous with a one party non- participatory dictatorship in which information is controlled by a dictator and his minions. This is unacceptable.
Dr Mumba therefore demands the immediate release of the Journalist Hamasaka and Zyambo. Dr Mumba further demands that the PF government apologies to the journalist fraternity and immediately enact the Freedom of Information Bill, which should NOW include the protection of journalist rights.
Issued by Muhabi Lungu
Communications Director in Dr Mamba’s Office.
Linja li busa naha Zambia!
THE DEGENERATION OF THE COUNTRY DUE TO POOR LEADERSHIP UNDER THE PF BOLSTERS THE NEED FOR A RAPID CHANGE. THE PF HAS BECOME IRRELEVANT TO PEOPLE’S HOPES AND DAILY LOSES OF THE COUNTRY’S STATUS AS A DEMOCRATIC TORCHBEARER. TOO MUCH POWER IN THE HANDS OF RECKLESS AND DERANGED PF MEMBERS HAS RESULTED IN A FAILURE TO DISCERN THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY THE MEDIA IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. MORE ZAMBIANS ARE YEARNING TO SEE A PRINCIPLED PARTY EMERGING AND LEADING THIS COUNTRY. A PARTY THAT IS NOT FOUNDED ON LIES THAT CAN ADDRESS THEIR PLIGHT AND NOT ROB THEM OF EVEN THE SLIGHTEST PRIVELEGE THAT THEY HAVE, LIKE FOOD AND PETROL SUBSIDES. RELUCTANTLY, EVEN THE HARDCORE PF MEMBERS ARE STARTING TO REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING STABLE MINDED PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT.
Your contribution has been in capital letters through and through,quite long but useless.PF with its people are in leadership whatever you say is just showing how ubuwelewele bwaisula mumutwe obe.Above all, I personally have just seen akalijo in the writer.
there is no bible verse in the constitution Dr nevers, there is so much lawlines in zambia. even the founder of democracy havent gone this far of insulting the seating president.
If you mean ‘lawlessness’ then you’re very correct my dear. I mean look at how this PF government is disobeying court orders. As for insulting the so called absent President….that is your little brain playing tricks on you. We’ve had the so called cabbage, nyamasoya, kafupi, fonkofonko all christened by the King Cobra. And now you are crying foul! Get a life!
Ukwa’s rule is based on the 10 commandments………of the Devil!
The problem with Zambian opposition leaders is that they do not understand how the opposition is supposed to offer checks and balances in a multi-party democracy set up. Checks and balances are not offered in the streets or radio stations, it is supposed to be done inside parliament by the party MP’s.
A journalist is not above the law and Nevers should tone down the attacks on the police and let them do their job. ‘ News of the world ‘ newspaper in the UK which was in existence for more than 100 years is out of business and it’s Editor in chief and a number of reporters are facing criminal charges in the courts for printing information obtained through hacking and other illegal means! The reporters have lawyers, Nevers should shut up and stop siding with lawbreakers!
“Information printed through hacking” which information have the arrested Zambian Journalists hacked? and from who? The truth of the matter is that the PF that claims to holier than thou is a culprit in almost all the troubles that the country is facing. They are frightened to learn that sooner or later their underhand activities will be revealed before their first term ends. What is new in the reporting? the only difference is that there is more corruption such as the bribing of MPs and thereby recklessly spending tax payers money. What PF should be doing is to refute if what is printed is not correct. But because truth hurts they will do all they can to arrest any one with divergent views. The writing is on the wall the boat is sailing towards One Party Sata state.
at first, it was beating of journalist and man of God at bicoca assembly church , now detention of innocent journalist, at every hone college students are rioting, what is wrong with this kaponya party who can’t even come up with a proper name of a football stadium?
chili uko tuleya
These people if left alone will ruin Zambia. Well done GRZ.
Nevers…..munankala liti ba law enforcer baba,whatever the law keepers do you and your friend mpaka comment.Old fashioned politics.Buwelewele fye bweka bweka.
Surprised that other opposition parties are not making a feast of this.
How on earth can you write Sata has resigned. Surely there are other things that you can write. Freedom of expression has the limit just as rights have the limit.
Well, if Sata HAD resigned, that would be news. If he has not, then the paper has no credibility. In either case, there is no need to detain any journalists.
The president should just continue to do his job.
Do you know how many things are written about Obama and Zuma? Quite a lot, yet they continue to do their job without being petty about every little thing that is said about them.
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