UPND cadres beat journalists

Wed, 29 Mar 2017 12:36:28 +0000

BY MARTIN AKENDE

UNRULY UPND cadres yesterday harassed and assaulted journalists from Millennium Radio, Radio Phoenix and ZNBC who went to cover a UPND press briefing addressed by party president Hakainde Hichilema.

Among the harassed journalists were Prisca Lumingu-Banda of Millennium Radio and Silumesii Malumo from Radio Phoenix.

And Government has strongly condemned the violence against journalists who included those from Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

Chief Government spokesperson Kapamba Mulenga said the attack was barbaric, adding that it was a serious assault on the freedom of the press.

She said the media were key in the dissemination of quality information which was a fundamental prerequisite in a democracy.

She stated that it was shameful and unfortunate that the UPND had failed to realize the fact and had instead turned against people they were supposed to protect and support.

She appealed to law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter and ensure that the assailants were brought to book.

And Mrs Lumingu-Banda explained that she was harassed at the party secretariat situated on Provident Road in Rhodes Park area because she was mistaken for a ZNBC employee.

She said even after presenting her identity card the cadres ignored it and continued dragging her and pushing her around.

She explained that the incident happened in full view of some senior party officials among them national youth chairperson Likando Mufalali and presidential advisor William Banda.

This is the third time UPND cadres have harassed Millennium Radio journalists with Irvin Muyumbwa harassed twice last year at Mr. Hichilema’s house in New Kasama.

Meanwhile, Millennium Radio management has formerly written a complaint letter to the UPND leadership over the conduct of their cadres.

The radio station is seeking a written apology from the party failure to which the station will stop covering any of the UPND assignments and press statements.