Metro

Zambia: Hichilema bows to pressure, fires high court judge Katanekwa

Published

8 months ago

January 29, 2024

Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has finally bowed to pressure with the immediate sacking of a High Court Judge, Timothy Katanekwa.

Katanekwa is battling several allegations of incompetence and misconduct.

The firing of Katanekwa from the office of the judge of the high court of Zambia was announced by State House Chief Communications Spacialist, Clayson Hamasaka, who stated that the president was acting on recommendations in a report presented to him by the Judicial Complaints Commission.

“The removal of the said puisin Judge is in exercise of the powers vested in the President in article 114(5) (b) of the Constitution of the Republic Zambia,” Hamasaka said in a statement he issued in Lusaka.

He noted that the report which President Hichilema acted upon by first suspending the judge on December 27, 2023 after six complaints, alleged gross incompetence and misconduct exhibited by him.

“Hichilema’s decision to suspend Justice Katanekwa is in exercise of powers bestowed upon him by Article 144(3) of the Constitution,” Hamasaka said.

Local media reports that at the time of his suspension, Justice Katanekwa had presided over both criminal and civil cases.

Among the cases was the matter in which Patriotic Front (PF) factional leader, Miles Sampa, sued senior party officials who included Given Lubinda and Nickson Chilangwa challenging his suspension in February last year.

“On February 9, 2023, Judge Katanekwa granted Sampa an injunction restraining Lubinda and others from holding themselves in their position. Justice Katanekwa was admitted to the bar in 1982 and appointed to the High Court as Judge in 1996,” the media reports said.

“Last November, Judge Katanekwa also granted an order summoning former Registrar of Societies Thandiwe Mhende to submit the true office bearers of PF. Ms Mhende was, however, fired from her position days before she could testify in court,” another media report noted as parts of documented evidence against the sacked judge.

Yet another report stated that a Lusaka businessman, Misheck Chatora, had in April, 2023 written a letter of complaint to JCC accusing Justice Katanekwa of injustice against Maritime Freight in a matter against Zambian Breweries in November, 2011.

“Judge Katanekwa was in October summoned to appear before JCC in relation to the complaint. The said Judge was on September 11, 2013 fired by former President, Michael Chilufya Sata, for alleged professional misconduct,” the report added.

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Metro

Zambia’s media landscape fragmented by rise of online platforms

Published

5 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Zambia’s media landscape has undergone a major transformation in recent years, driven by technological advancements, evolving consumer behavior and changes in regulatory frameworks.

This shift has led to the fragmentation of traditional media, with the rise of online and social media platforms.

Over 100 online outlets have emerged, catering to diverse interests, and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp have become primary news sources for many Zambians.

Specialized outlets focused on specific topics—entertainment, sports, or business—have also gained traction, increasing competition for audiences, advertising revenue and influence.

A study by Peter Brooke, a former UK Member of Parliament, highlighted the significant impact of Zambia’s decolonization in the 1960s on media freedom, sparking the creation of new media outlets and fostering freedom of expression.

The proliferation of short-wave radio and affordable transistor radios further accelerated the growth of the media industry.

The Zambian government operated several state-owned media, including the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation and newspapers like Times of Zambia and Daily Mail.

Private media, such as News Diggers, The Mast, and Daily Nation, offered alternative perspectives.

Digital-only platforms, like Lusaka Times and Zambian Watchdog, have grown in influence, boasting millions of followers on social media.

However, media fragmentation presented challenges.

The rise of so many platforms had led to information overload, making it harder for audiences to discern credible sources.

This fragmentation also risked creating echo chambers and contributing to national polarization.

Traditional media are struggling with declining ad revenue and sustainability.

Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, expressed concern over the spread of misinformation on social media, which he said undermined the government’s achievements.

“It is unfortunate that social media is being used to sway citizens away from appreciating the progress made by the government,” Mweetwa said.

MISA Zambia, a media advocacy organization, had emphasized the importance of promoting media diversity and media literacy to combat misinformation and fragmentation.

In one of its publications, MISA Zambia stated, “Media fragmentation posed significant challenges to democracy… We must promote media literacy.”

There is a growing need for regular assessments of the media landscape, national media literacy programmes, guidelines for social media regulations and support for innovative media entrepreneurship to address the challenges brought by Zambia’s evolving media landscape.

This story is sponsored by Project Aliyense.

Metro

Nigerian govt to jail private employers paying below N70,000 minimum wage

Published

12 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian government has vowed to prosecute and possibly jail private employers who pay their workers below the N70,000 minimum wage recently approved for workers in the country.

The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, who stated this while speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria held in Lagos on Wednesday, called on agencies recruiting for the private sector to adhere to the N70,000 minimum wage, warning that any deviation would not be tolerated.

Abubakar said the new minimum wage was necessary to address the current economic reality, emphasising that no Nigerian worker, whether in government or private employment, should be paid less than the minimum wage.

“The minimum wage is now a law, and as a result, it is a punishable crime for any employer to pay less than N70,000 to any of its workers,” he stated.

“The private employment agencies should make it compulsory in any contract they take from their principal that their workers should not earn less than the minimum wage. The least paid worker in Nigeria should earn N70,000, and I think that should be after all deductions.

“The minimum wage is a law, and you can be jailed if you fail to implement it. The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that the least paid worker goes home with N70,000.”