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HH demands the re-reinstatement of 6 young journalists retired at Times of Zambia

Hakainde Hichilema [1]
Hakainde Hichilema

United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has demanded the reinstatement of the 6 journalists at Times of Zambia whose average age is 32 years old.

Mr Hichilema said that the recent retirement of some journalists at the Times of Zambia in national interest is an affront on media freedom and democracy in the country.

Mr. Hichilema has accused the Patriotic Front government of engineering the early retirement of the journalists at the Times of Zambia. He said that the retirement of the six journalists at the Times of Zambia is a demonstration that the current government has no respect for media freedom.

He said that in a country like Zambia, the media should be allowed to operate freely without fear of retribution.

On Friday, Times of Zambia Management retired Six Senior journalists whose names are Abel Mboozi, Bob Sianjalike, Obet Simwanza, Patson Phiri,  Richard Mulonga and  Whitney Mulobela for unknown reasons. The journalists received the letters of retirement despite not having attained the retirement age.

Meanwhile, Mr Hichilema has threatened to alert the international community on how the PF Government is allegedly mistreating opposition political party leaders.

Mr. Hichilema said that he was shocked by the Zambia Police’s failure to arrest suspected Patriotic Front cadres that attacked him at the funeral of the late Princes Nakatindi Wina.

He said that the police have failed to take any action because they know that instructions to have him attacked could have come from the high office.

QFM

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Comments Disabled To "HH demands the re-reinstatement of 6 young journalists retired at Times of Zambia"

#1 Comment By Jili Squad On April 16, 2012 @ 4:55 pm

retired at 32…what a joke! at 32, you can only resign, get fired or go on voluntary separation! PF, I want my vote back!

#2 Comment By Exhaust Blown Diffuser On April 16, 2012 @ 4:57 pm

Lets get one thing clear, were they retired or fired??

#3 Comment By Kal On April 16, 2012 @ 4:59 pm

Why don’t we look for opportunity in adversity? I am sure that team of “retired” journalists is a great skill set for a start up that can rival the employer that has “retired” them. It makes me wonder how tenaciously we hang on to employment in that country even when we have outgrown the space… Come on!

#4 Comment By Pillow Sofa On April 16, 2012 @ 6:09 pm

#3 Kal I love you attitude but have you seen the newspapers in Zambia? Read any of them and you will see that there are no skills there. They would therefore be unable to compete if they went for a start up. Newspapers survive because they are subsidised by government or they focus on creating scandals….. and giving readers photographs of nude women

#5 Comment By Zed Poor People On April 16, 2012 @ 5:05 pm

What unknown reasons! they do not have the correct sir names period.

#6 Comment By MARY On April 16, 2012 @ 5:10 pm

can someone please tell me what HH is going to do if the retired young journalists will not be reinstated?

#7 Comment By Howard Mulenga On April 16, 2012 @ 9:58 pm

Daint (sp) the image of pf who claims to be respecting media laws.

#8 Comment By kamwendo On April 16, 2012 @ 5:22 pm

HH the best advice to those chaps would have been to SUE the Times, as any judge in his right mind would certainly find in their favour, NOT CAPITALISING FOR A FEW MEDIA HEADLINES!!!!

I very STRONGLY agree with #3, WHY IS IT THAT OUR MENTALITY IS SO FIXATED ON BEING EMPLOYED BY SOMEONE ELSE??????

#9 Comment By Happy On April 16, 2012 @ 6:53 pm

Unfortunately, courts are expensive in Zambia, both financially and time it takes to dispose a case. Recall, uncle Katele Kalumba appealed against hs conviction almost four years ago. To date his case has been concluded, and the four year sentence is ending. They will wait until they get to 55 years and retire, moreover government is in control!

#10 Comment By Ali On April 16, 2012 @ 5:22 pm

How can you retire young guys.They were fired!WE all know the Post journalists in statehouse want to fix the Times of Zambia and Daily Mail journalists.Its a pity that management at Times of Zambia should be taking orders from tuma PF journalists working for the Office of the President. And who is running Daily mail these days,did he or she pass grade 3 english comprehension?Please reinstate the guy that was fired from Daily Mail too.

#11 Comment By Bauze On April 16, 2012 @ 7:55 pm

@Ali, the new Managing Editor is a well known PF cadre who was recommended by Fred Meembe to Sata

#12 Comment By moses On April 16, 2012 @ 5:36 pm

fellow zambians see what you did????????cobra promised you to have more money in oir pockets,more jobs but now see what is doing…?LET US NT MAKE ANOTHER MISTAKE IN 2016 BECAUSE WILL BE ALWAYS BLAMING OURSELVS…LET US NOT VOTE FOR TRIBE VOTE FOR A WISE AND WELL CAPABLE PERSON WHO CAN RUN OUR ECONOMY PROPERLY,,HH IS THE DEAL FOR 2011…

#13 Comment By Solution2030 On April 16, 2012 @ 10:01 pm

Moses, the people who vote do not read LT online, and they are the majority. No disrespect to LT, am just saying that strategy from the opposition has always been fundamentally flawed.

#14 Comment By BESTON On April 17, 2012 @ 10:09 am

We Zambians did well to vote PF in otherwise RB & Sons would have auctioned the nation.
HH is a doubt as he is inclined to one side of the nation.
Meanwhile more money has started showing but sorry to the journalists.I don’t know what happened and what they did.Wish we could hear from both sides.

#15 Comment By Hanjalika On April 16, 2012 @ 5:40 pm

Let them look for opportunities else where if they have the right qualifications. They never acted professional when they were under MMD….HH you retired my brother at the age of 30 in your auditing firm. Finshi Ulelanda….

#16 Comment By RB On April 16, 2012 @ 5:42 pm

All bemba journalists have not been touched. Also fire young bembas you f00ls. This sata 1d1ot sucks!

#17 Comment By Boogie On April 17, 2012 @ 7:03 pm

The hatred for Bembas in this country is really amazing. What has being bemba got to do with the fired journalists? Any way those that think on tribal lines are always quick to identify tribalism even where it does not exist.

#18 Comment By Shi Mpundu Pa Bwatomba On April 16, 2012 @ 6:07 pm

I wish HH could speak even for a young, energetic and educated former Accountant General who was retired at the age of 38 years…

#19 Comment By Bvuto On April 16, 2012 @ 6:12 pm

These guys were very unproffesional and they will never be reinstated, if they feel they have been fired unfairly let them sue, or you can employ them at your farm in choma. GK has died, MHSRIP. 

#20 Comment By Advisor On April 16, 2012 @ 6:13 pm

They have reaped what they had sown.Remember how they had denounced our President they are VERY luck to be fired they should be in prison .Journalism is not a carrier as may put it, any one can write and report BA HH learn to be objective.We ahve online reporting now quite efficient.

#21 Comment By Pillow Sofa On April 16, 2012 @ 6:14 pm

Correct surnames? I see two whom you tribalists are always quick to refer refer to as Bembas on the list

#22 Comment By Realest On April 16, 2012 @ 6:17 pm

NUMBER 10…ULICHIPUBA dont talk about bemba’s chimbwi iwe…..they were FIRED for being incompetent and not carrying out their duties without fear or favour…

#23 Comment By Disappointed Youth On April 16, 2012 @ 6:37 pm

Sad indeed! And these are the same youths who gave the PF the majority votes. Youths Lets unite and never to vote for these old people. They are just sharing jobs amongst themselves. Why should we be suffering when we are the majority in the country. Lets use the power of our votes correctly next time.

#24 Comment By Sikanka Pakunya On April 16, 2012 @ 6:48 pm

United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has demanded the reinstatement of the 6 journalists at Times of Zambia whose average age is 32 years old…are you the labour commissioner?,
Mr Hichilema said that the recent retirement of some journalists at the Times of Zambia in national interest is an affront on media freedom and democracy in the country…what do you understand by national interest?
Mr. Hichilema has accused the Patriotic Front government of engineering the early retirement of the journalists at the Times of Zambia…what is your proof?

#25 Comment By kuntakinte On April 17, 2012 @ 11:11 am

Mr. HH you always claim to have money and you have farms and companies. why cant you demonstrate that when you come into power you will create employment for youths by employee the retired youths from Times of Zambia instead of forcing to be re-instated.

#26 Comment By Sikanka Pakunya On April 16, 2012 @ 6:54 pm

Meanwhile, Mr Hichilema has threatened to alert the international community on how the PF Government is allegedly mistreating opposition political party leaders…what will the international community do, decommission the PF govt?
Mr. Hichilema said that he was shocked by the Zambia Police’s failure to arrest suspected Patriotic Front cadres that attacked him at the funeral of the late Princes Nakatindi Wina.

He said that the police have failed to take any action because they know that instructions to have him attacked could have come from the high office…be specific, which high office.
You see kabwa ulesabailafye…under five in diapers.

#27 Comment By Wise Commentator On April 16, 2012 @ 6:54 pm

PF you are out next elections, mark my words!!!! Your style of governance has failed the zambian people. Every astute and educated voter knew Mr.Sata had no concrete plan fro the country. Is corruption an accomplishment for the president? or something that all stakeholders have to pursue for the greater good of everyone? Is going to bring Indians that not only abuse our people but our resources an accomplishment? Is donating $10,000 to a rich country like Botswana an accomplishment? Tell me people, those of you who are firm supports of this president, what has he accomplished? BECAUSE KING COBRA IS NOT A COBRA, LOOK HOW HE HAS ENTERTAINED THE CHINESE AFTER THEY SPOILED HIM WITH A FEW DOLLARS INSTEAD OF ENSURING THEY ADHERE TO LAWS THEY HAVE FOR A LONG TIME SUPPRESSED 

#28 Comment By CHARACTER ASSASSIN 00 On April 16, 2012 @ 7:18 pm

We need more detail before we comment. Most journalists have ethical issues, do not protect people when you have no evidence, it’s better to ask for the reason why they were retired.

#29 Comment By mj On April 16, 2012 @ 7:29 pm

when you take over a company or any investor takes over expect changes.new boss new manegment period.

#30 Comment By kaya On April 16, 2012 @ 7:33 pm

How many Bembas are on that list fired??? Tribalism at the hieghest.Any way , they were not fired out of National interest but tribal interest..FULLSTOP. may kunda ‘soul rest in peace”

#31 Comment By bashi kay On April 16, 2012 @ 7:41 pm

under5 pipo are being fired evry day take it up u chap,yo supporters are saying u re the real deal for 2011 wen the next elections are in 2016 & we have said our next president is elias chipimo.so u bantustans get it chipimo 4presido.take heed

#32 Comment By Mabisiyahopani On April 16, 2012 @ 7:45 pm

HH, form a print media and employ the chaps. You can do it dear and am sure you have the capacity. The post has now shifted camp and is a mouth piece for the govt. We need another paper to read and analyse things not govt praise singers like the post. Last time I ready Times and Daily mail was last year. The post has also turned pornographic. Just like govt has banned tujijili and prostitution, ban post from producing Friday porno materials.

#33 Comment By Maximum service On April 16, 2012 @ 7:47 pm

Nonsence HH what do you know and do you understand about the national interest .Season come and season go and it there time 2 retire let them do something else.

#34 Comment By MS On April 16, 2012 @ 7:52 pm

# 19,
RB gave Mugabe $9 million dollars of Zambian money, did you know that? It was in the papers and not one of the people complaining has dared to mention it. $10000 is not a large sum of money for people to be complaining about, at least it was given to a good cause rather than to a dictator.

#35 Comment By Bauze On April 16, 2012 @ 7:57 pm

WE TOLD YOU ABOUT UKWA BUT YOU THOUGHT WE WERE JUST BEING FOOLISH. GUESS WHO IS THE FOOL NOW!

#36 Comment By oranje91 On April 16, 2012 @ 8:17 pm

Do we still need government run media? I say scrap all of them – Times of Zambia, Daily Mail and ZNBC. Private run media will do a whole lot better with competition.

#37 Comment By Deep Throat On April 16, 2012 @ 8:20 pm

The man retiring young journalists is a grey man. He needs to retire himself first before any of those youngmen and women.

#38 Comment By Tonga Bull On April 16, 2012 @ 8:29 pm

What is the employment law in Zambia? If retirement age is 55 for men and 45 for women – then the company should let them reach retirement again.
And the president should also consider his retirement along with VP and other ministers.

Unfair dismissal can be taken to court, not if one accepts redundancy pay and then wants to sue his former employers. Guys, leave Times of Zambia and go and work in South Africa, Bostwana, Angola, Nambia or UK US, they want people like you….. ! why work in Zambia when you can do better????

#39 Comment By Tonga girl On April 16, 2012 @ 8:35 pm

PF made some pronouncements in Botswana on his last visit to that country. He told the Zambians living in Botswana to go back home and work? If there are no jobs in Zambia for the 8 million capable workers, how can he ask Zambians living and working abroad to return home? How selfish is that? If at 32 a mna is unable to carry on working what is the use of living and working in Zambia? If you are educated and have soem qualification – leave Zambia – the current situation is not fair but has biased elelment – only if you know someone can you get a job in poor Zambia. LEAVE THE COUNTRY

#40 Comment By Rodrik On April 16, 2012 @ 8:43 pm

There are many ways of losing a job;by resignation,retrenchment,liquidation,retirement,or fired.We all know,HH knows and God knows how Bad an unprofessional the public media was in the MMD era.In order to correct the situation a few changes involving  a few hot heads and bootlickers have to be shown the door.At least they have just been retired,nobody was born to work for Times of Zambia,they have a new lease of life,let them use it.HH needs to see a psychiatrist seriously.The public media now is becoming more balanced and professional,News is no longer predictable.

#41 Comment By The Observer On April 16, 2012 @ 8:52 pm

When a person is retired in “National Interest” it has nothing to do with one being incompetent. If they were layed off for not performing their duties or for being indiscipline, they should have been retired in the “Public Interest. Zambian lets develop a culture of criticising constructively. When something is amiss let us say so. Supporting something that is wrong does not help those erring.

#42 Comment By Rodrik On April 16, 2012 @ 9:05 pm

HH should put his money were his mouth is,let him employ those chaps as his PR team if he feels so strognly about it.In any case,there is no permanent in this world,who knows,there retirement could be a blessing to exploit other opportunities beyond the Times of Zambia.Life is not static,who knew HH could be called president?It had to take the demise of Mazoka for the nation to recognise the immaturity and foolishness of HH as a politician

#43 Comment By Ali On April 16, 2012 @ 9:52 pm

Thanks for the info Bauze..Can some please give the New Managing Editor at Daily mail a copy of Mulenga and Jelita..I think he used to dodge classes as evidenced by the quality of Daily Mail.I’m yet to see the quality that will come out of Times of Zambia now that the good journalists have been fired

#44 Comment By maskat On April 16, 2012 @ 10:08 pm

to protect yourself, just move with a gun

#45 Comment By ukwa On April 16, 2012 @ 10:13 pm

on public media nothing has changed, its only goalpost that has changed. under MMD we used to get -ve stories from opposition and exactly same is happening. may george rest in peace.

#46 Comment By Deep Throat On April 17, 2012 @ 3:50 pm

It is not the goal post that has changed. It is the goal keepers.

#47 Comment By General Mushala On April 16, 2012 @ 10:25 pm

A 38 year old accountant general was fired. What is there for the youth then. HH you are the man come 2016

#48 Comment By Barotseland On April 16, 2012 @ 10:44 pm

LET THE BOYS COME UP WITH THEIR OWN MEDIA HOUSE THAT WILL TEAR DOWN THIS PF GOVT OF KAPONYAZ!! IT FEELS LIKE WE HAVE BEEN GOVERNED FOR 20 YEARS SINCE PF CAME INTO POWER. WE ARE TIRED OF THESE FOOLS!!

#49 Comment By Fake Journalist On April 16, 2012 @ 10:50 pm

HH the demading go-nowhere perpetual opposition leader!! he is forever “demanding” one thing or another! Demanding never gets you the results you desire – always remember that my dear under-five.Wait, let me try it on HH and see how he reacts: I demand that you shut up and never comment on any issue from now on!

#50 Comment By oneworld On April 16, 2012 @ 10:59 pm

WHEN MORE THAN TWO THOUND ZAMTEL EMPLOYEES HAD THEIR EMPLOYMENT TERMINATED YOU WERE DUMB

#51 Comment By Wise Commentator On April 16, 2012 @ 11:01 pm

Number 26 (MS) where is your evidence for such a claim? If people caught the $10,000 then a lot should know about the $9M? and I am sure not a lot of people know about. Anyways, both RB and Sata are the same. The only difference is that RB is more selfish than Sata. THE POINT I WAS MAKING WAS THAT YOU CAN BE GIVING A RICH MAN MORE RICHES, WHEN HE CAN FULLY AFFORD AND IS ECONOMICALLY SOUND. I wouldn’t support their leadership traits no matter what. In fact like I said before, these old men have be retired. 

#52 Comment By Me On April 16, 2012 @ 11:22 pm

Embarrasing tribalism from Ukwa, how can you fire all non-bemba journalists from the public media?

#53 Comment By Kuya On April 16, 2012 @ 11:26 pm

Abel Mboozi, Bob Sianjalike, Obet Simwanza, Patson Phiri, Richard Mulonga and Whitney Mulobela were retired in the National Interest.

This Mboozi guy we have read his articles against PF particular President Sata then in the opposition on Watchdog. He is very hateful of Mr Sata and a bit tribal. Indeed I would do the same if I was the person responsible. Times and Daily are public papers who should inform us correctly not taking sides like they did before the elections. Actually, they should have been fired instead of been honourably retired. The current crop of journalists at these public media should take that as a warning. May the next party in power fire anyone who will choose to be a cadre for the current government, Nonsence! Munatibvutisa maningi! Bakolokombwa!

#54 Comment By Jigga On April 17, 2012 @ 2:04 am

I keep asking (on another forum): were they ‘retired’ or ‘fired’? Isn’t Times committing employement regulations by ‘retiring’ someone below the retiring age?

As for the ‘retired’ gentlemen, why would they be complaining when they would have received their handsomely ‘retiring’ package? I would be the happiest person if I retired that early. I can use by superannuation package (aka pension) to buy a nice house; go the Caribbean for holidays and sleep all I want.
Alternatively they could put their pensions together and start a rival newspaper using their skills. They have received free publicity already.
By the way, I don’t think you can sue an employer for ‘retiring’ yoo; it’s different from making you redundant or sacking you, can you?

#55 Comment By Zambi-Can On April 17, 2012 @ 2:06 am

just rubbish, i can’t wait for these tired politician to disapear like lce age. what kind of thinking is this?

#56 Comment By The Equalizer On April 17, 2012 @ 6:10 am

Under-Five verbal diarrhoea!!! You may dis-credit a legitimate government, but you will never rise beyond UPND president. Deal with that. The MMD and Rupiah Banda you are in bed with were responsible for more violence against the opposition, so don’t be such a hypocrite. You’re just a political failure and you think you can rise by being arrogant. This is not revolution. This is arrogance, cheek, childishness. You’re a disgrace to Tongas and humanity. I know much smarter Tongas who aint voting for you.

#57 Comment By Mimi On April 17, 2012 @ 7:20 am

Equalizer, bla blabla bla. You will die of heart attack. You can’t see the sense in what HH is saying? What a shame.

#58 Comment By Biggie Muzo On April 17, 2012 @ 7:44 am

HH, if you are no equal to the game, please quit Politics! African Politics you need to have a sixth sense of determination to attain your goal as an aspiring President. Please give us facts than rhoterics in the Press!

#59 Comment By HH is Diffikotti On April 17, 2012 @ 9:20 am

These young men must have been writing stuff for this joker Diffikotti (HH ) hence he wants them back at times .
I say good riddance to under fives rubbish

#60 Comment By Kuya On April 17, 2012 @ 9:48 am

The WATCH DOG TEAM RETIRED OR IS IT FIRED INDIRECTLY!
Abel Mboozi, Bob Sianjalike, Obet Simwanza, Patson Phiri, Richard Mulonga and Whitney Mulobela were retired in the National Interest.

#61 Comment By Zeb Mpinganjira On April 17, 2012 @ 12:17 pm

I know Patson Phiri ou of those six, he is a moron, serves him right, actually!!!

#62 Comment By The Barotse Patriotic Front On April 17, 2012 @ 12:26 pm

Where is Ing’utu Himanje, imwe ba pf?

#63 Comment By Logika On April 17, 2012 @ 1:11 pm

Well, what next?

#64 Comment By Jazzie Jazzie On April 17, 2012 @ 2:06 pm

we need an audit of who is being fired and employed! for us to know what this PF goverment is up to.

#65 Comment By Dodo On April 17, 2012 @ 2:09 pm

Lets wait and see, maybe they are going in the foreign service, journalist dont just vanish

#66 Comment By kantu On April 17, 2012 @ 2:10 pm

why retire young men leaving old ukwastans injoying comedy with their ministers who cannot even know what is happening in their ministries.hh or chipimo 2 be considered next.

#67 Comment By feel for them On April 18, 2012 @ 2:24 pm

they will even get a full retirement package. Inutu himanje was retired in the same way its rough pipo….

#68 Comment By AWE KWENA On April 18, 2012 @ 4:34 pm

Fili eko tuleya bane…..kosa nga walikosa!!

#69 Comment By PF MUTALE On April 18, 2012 @ 5:46 pm

I think HH makes more sense than PF government, tribalism will not take PF anywhere. All fired are non bembas, why ???