Management of Serenje Radio station has expressed deep concern over the attack on three of their journalists on duty at Serenje Police Station. According to a statement released by the radio station, the incident occurred on April 8, 2023, when the journalists were covering a story on the stand-off between the Socialist Party and the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) in the run-up to the April 20, 2023 Muchinda Ward by-election in Serenje District, Central Province.
The journalists, Serenje Radio Manager Mr. Male Kapema, Finance Personnel Mr. Enoch Champo, and Reporter Sheila Kalunga, had rushed to the police station following a phone call with Serenje DC Mr. Paul Masuwa. They were attacked by suspected UPND cadres who had reportedly been imported from outside Serenje.
During the attack, Reporter Sheila Kalunga was hit three times on the back for filming the protesters’ actions. The attack only ended after quick intervention from the Zambia Police Service. Serenje Radio Management regrets the incident, especially since President Hakainde Hichilema had assured the public of freedom of the press.
The station is pursuing legal means to ensure justice for the journalists, who are human beings with the responsibility to inform, educate, and entertain the masses. Serenje Radio reiterated its commitment to discharge its mandate accurately and fairly, and condemned any form of violence against journalists.
The incident has sparked outrage from various quarters, with many condemning the attack on the journalists. The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter has called on the police to swiftly investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book. MISA Zambia has also urged political parties to refrain from acts of violence and intimidation against the media.
The attack on Serenje Radio journalists is a worrying development that threatens media freedom and democracy in Zambia. It is imperative that the government takes decisive action to protect journalists and ensure that they can carry out their duties without fear of reprisal.
And someone keeps on yapping that he’s finished violence in the country…. yes because he’s not on the receiving end so he cannot see it.
How fake can this be, without reports of arrests by perpetrators of attacks on journalists. Challenge is made to LT to cover a complete story for your readership to know.
Boma ni Boma… how do you expect the police to arrest those who own government?
Stupid Cadres
According to the UPND propaganda machinery and Zambia Buju, it’s Fred Mmembe and his cadres that are trying to kill people. He was found with firearms and offensive weapons. So Fred Mmembe must be arrested and charged with genocide
When i said upnd won elections through violence and intimidation, I was called a liar. The truth coming out. I have got my glock and others guns ready for these animals. Come at me and you hear brap brap
We want to see whether Kajoba will prove HH to be a liar or not.
what goes round comes around!!
The truth will come out …
Poor reporting by LT
All the sources have got exactly the same story. Maybe the person who is disseminating is the one who’s wrong? Or right?
“……During the attack, Reporter Sheila Kalunga was hit three times on the back for filming the protesters’ actions……”
Where is the film if it is not lies…….???
When it suits him he prefers to be a Doubting Thomas
They were filming weeee………
Show us the film………
What is hard about that ???
Like all political cadres these UPND rogues want every radio station to behave like DeadNBC which they control. This is a democracy. Media is free to broadcast without the supervision of political cadres! Understand what is called the Fourth Estate you thugs
Hypocrisy at its best
Uyu eve…even in his third term in office, he will continue to blame PF for everything including this nonsense.
The easiest way to loose an election is not to do something about this. Mr home affairs minister, inspector general, what the hell is this? Have we lost it also?
Resigning is not a bad idea and let HH win a second term.
We are told the so called journalists were filming when attecked………..
Yet they can’t show us the film…………
What are we to make of this ?????
Instead of saying you were filming , you should have said you were visiting family when attacked……….
Mapatizya and Mufumbwe formulas reloaded! Nipano Tuli