News / Africa
Zambia's leading private newspaper comes under gunfire
08 Oct 2015 at 21:43hrs | Views
The newsroom of the Post newspaper, Zambia's leading private newspaper, came under attack on Wednesday, September 30, 2015, at approximately 12h45 when a single gunshot pierced its newsroom. The bullet pierced the roof and penetrated the room through the ceiling board after deflecting off a support plunk in the ceiling.
MISA Zambia, during its visit to the newspaper, observed that there were visible marks and a bullet hole through the roof and ceiling, as well as a small hole on the floor where the bullet finally landed.
The motive of the shooting is unknown while the assailant (or assailants) is unknown as nothing was captured on the CCTV footage, while none of the members of staff suffered any injury.
A forensic/ballistics team visited the scene immediately after the incident and collected samples, including the bullet and further collected statements from some of the journalists and staff.
During MISA Zambia's visit, Post proprietor and editor-in-chief, Fred M'membe expressed shock at the incident and described it as the first of its kind in his 24 years of journalism practice in Zambia. He noted that the paper would not be intimidated and would continue its reportage and duty to the public.
MISA Zambia National Director Austin Kayanda stated that an attack on a single outlet was an attack on the whole fraternity. "MISA condemns this attack. Such acts should not be tolerated under any circumstances", he said.
Police have instituted investigations into the shooting and are yet to issue a report.
Operations are back to normal at the newspaper and MISA Zambia has continued to offer solidarity and is monitoring the situation as it develops.
BACKGROUND
The Post newspaper is the leading private daily newspaper in Zambia and carries critical, dissenting views. It has previously been censured and threatened with closure by the government.
The newspaper's editor is currently facing charges under the State Security Act for ‘Publication of Classified Information' after he published a stor quoting a letter from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to the President on corruption investigations the former was conducting again the President's special assistant for political affairs.
MISA Zambia, during its visit to the newspaper, observed that there were visible marks and a bullet hole through the roof and ceiling, as well as a small hole on the floor where the bullet finally landed.
The motive of the shooting is unknown while the assailant (or assailants) is unknown as nothing was captured on the CCTV footage, while none of the members of staff suffered any injury.
A forensic/ballistics team visited the scene immediately after the incident and collected samples, including the bullet and further collected statements from some of the journalists and staff.
During MISA Zambia's visit, Post proprietor and editor-in-chief, Fred M'membe expressed shock at the incident and described it as the first of its kind in his 24 years of journalism practice in Zambia. He noted that the paper would not be intimidated and would continue its reportage and duty to the public.
MISA Zambia National Director Austin Kayanda stated that an attack on a single outlet was an attack on the whole fraternity. "MISA condemns this attack. Such acts should not be tolerated under any circumstances", he said.
Police have instituted investigations into the shooting and are yet to issue a report.
Operations are back to normal at the newspaper and MISA Zambia has continued to offer solidarity and is monitoring the situation as it develops.
BACKGROUND
The Post newspaper is the leading private daily newspaper in Zambia and carries critical, dissenting views. It has previously been censured and threatened with closure by the government.
The newspaper's editor is currently facing charges under the State Security Act for ‘Publication of Classified Information' after he published a stor quoting a letter from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to the President on corruption investigations the former was conducting again the President's special assistant for political affairs.
Source - MISA
