Metro

Political intimidation, harassment hinder media freedom in Zambia, says Kasama entrepreneur

Published

5 days ago

June 27, 2024

Political intimidation and harassment are major hindrances to media freedom and freedom of expression in Zambia, according to Mary Mulenga, a Kasama entrepreneur.

Mulenga, who runs a mobile booth in the Central Business District of Kasama District, stated that these issues were also leading some journalists to become political cadres for the ruling party, as had been seen in the past.

Zambia Monitor was in Kasama District of Northern Province to gauge public knowledge on media freedom, the Cybersecurity Act, and freedom of expression when they spoke with Mulenga.

She said that although media freedom and freedom of expression existed in Zambia, many journalists and ordinary citizens self-censor due to fear of repercussions.

“We have seen journalists being summoned by the police for publishing stories deemed anti-government, creating fear and leading some to write pro-government content,” Mulenga stated.

She also highlighted that some journalists support the government to secure appointments to various positions, especially as Public Relations Officers in local authorities.

“When late President Michael Sata formed the government, he appointed many journalists who supported him while in opposition to various positions, such as First Secretary for Press in diplomatic missions, which compromised them,” Mulenga said.

On the Cybersecurity Act, Mulenga noted with sadness that authorities act quickly on politically inclined social media posts but are slow to address the bullying of ordinary citizens online.

She said that many ordinary citizens were bullied online, reducing their chances of participating in discussions on platforms like X-spaces, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media pages.

“A section of society that authorities ignore is the disabled or differently abled. These people are harassed on social media, and everyone turns a blind eye. Older women are another category that is bullied,” Mulenga stated.

She emphasized the need for authorities to apply the law fairly and protect all citizens from harassment in cyberspace.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

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Metro

Nigeria to strengthen defence partnership with South Africa

Published

5 hours ago

July 2, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian government has set plans in motion to strengthen defence partnership with South Africa in a bid to address the multifaceted security challenges bedevilling the African continent.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence
Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, who made this known during an official visit to the Chief of South Africa National Defence Force, Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya, in Pretoria, called for reinforcement of ties between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the South African National Defence Force

In a statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Tuesday in Abuja, the CDS described the meeting as a “panacea to addressing the multifaceted challenges bedevilling the continent”, adding that the “need for cooperation and reinforcement of bilateral ties were also paramount.”

Musa stated that the meeting with his South African counterpart was focused on various measures to address regional security challenges.

According to the Nigerian Army chief, the exchange of expertise and forging stronger ties between the two countries is for the betterment of the continent were considered.

“During the meeting, the Chief of SANDF highlighted the significance of the meeting between the two largest economies and military powers on the African continent,” the statement noted.

“Present at the meeting were the SANDF Chiefs of Intelligence, Policy and Plans, International Affairs and Joint Operations amongst other departmental chiefs of the SANDF,” he added.

Metro

Three Zambians, Tanzanian national arrested for smuggling illegal immigrants

Published

22 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Zambian police in the Kapiri-Mposhi District have arrested three Zambians and a Tanzanian national for conveying and smuggling illegal immigrants into the country.

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Danny Mwale, who confirmed the arrests in a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, said the suspects were arrested at the Nkumbi Checkpoint in Kapiri-Mposhi on Sunday, June 30.

Mwale said the arrests were made possible after officers, acting on a tip-off from concerned members of the public, intercepted a Scania tanker truck with registration numbers T711 DMV and T214.

The police spokesman said the intercepted truck was driven by the Tanzanian, Ramadan Ayoub, 32, from Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, and belongs to World Oil Limited Company based in Tanzania.

“Upon searching the tanker truck, officers discovered four males, believed to be Ethiopians, concealed on a bed inside the vehicle,” Mwale stated.

He added that the truck driver, upon interrogation, disclosed that an accomplice was waiting for the illegal immigrants in Kapiri-Mposhi town.

Following this lead, officers arrested Moses Mfula, 42, from Soweto compound in Kapiri-Mposhi District, the police spokesman said.

He stated further that Mfula cooperated with the police and directed them to two other individuals en route from Lusaka to collect the illegal immigrants.

“Subsequently, a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number ALG 9063 arrived near the tanker truck.

“The two occupants, identified as Charles Mwanza, 43, and Taonga Mukwakwa, 32, from Lusaka’s Chawama compound and Matero township respectively, were arrested after engaging with the truck driver.

“All suspects are currently detained in police custody in Kapiri-Mposhi, while the four illegal immigrants are held in Mkushi District,” the statement said.

Mwale added that investigations are ongoing, with police coordinating with the Department of Immigration.