Mr M’membe was released this evening has since been charged with criminal trespass and uttering forged documents.

Police arrested Mr M’membe, his wife Mutinta and Deputy News Editor Joseph Mwenda after they gained entry into the Post offices on Bwinjifumu road around 01:00hours this morning.

This was after obtaining a stay from the ZRA Appeals Tribunal restraining Zambia Revenue Authority from seizing the newspaper’s property.

And Mr. M’membe says he will not be silenced like others, but will continue to speak when things go wrong

Meanwhile, Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Affairs Linda Thomas – Greenfield says Zambia’s democratic reputation is on the line depending on how the country conducts the August 11th elections.

Ms Greenfield says Zambians should strive to ensure that the August 11th General Elections are free, fair and credible.

Speaking during a media briefing to mark the end of her two day state visit in Lusaka today, Ms Greenfield says mission was to see how the US Government can help the country in holding peaceful elections free from political violence.

She during her visit she managed to meet with UPND President Hakainde Hichilema, but could not meet up with President Edgar Lungu to discuss the current political situation in the country.

Ms Greenfield says Zambia has a good record of being democratic country, and thus the need for all people to remain united and ensure they are not used for political expedience.

The US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Affairs has also advised the Zambian government to find means and ways of sitting down with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and the Post Newspapers and come up with a plan on how the company can pay the taxes it owes while remaining operational.

She says it is important that an amicable solution is found to this problem so that the government is not seen to be fighting the newspaper.

UPND Presidential running-mate Geoffrey Mwamba says the decision to revoke the flying permit for the helicopter campaign is purely political and a violation of the Electoral Code of Conduct.

The opposition leaders accused Republican President Edgar Lungu of being behind the revocation of the flying permit because he has no message for the people.

He claimed that the PF President has realised that his Party has dismantled the PF’s strongholds and that PF has nothing to offer as President Lungu seeks a fresh mandate hence the interference with the flight permit.

“The decision by Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s government to revoke the flying permit of
our official helicopter campaign is purely political discrimination and violation of the Electoral Code of Conduct.

“This is because President Lungu is aware that we have dismantled the PF in all corners of their strongholds and so he is scared of losing the coming elections.

“Secondly the PF government has nothing to offer even as President Lungu seeks a fresh mandate because they have failed to govern, hence the use of unconventional and uncivilised methods to slow our campaigns,” read the statement in part.

He demanded for a the playing field be levelled as this a critical stage of campaigns and that it is not the fault of the UPND that President Lungu and his running-mate are failing to attract crowds as they try to market their party.

“If Edgar and his running-mate Inonge Wina are failing to pull crowds and market their party which has brought poverty and hunger among the people of Zambia,that cannot be the fault of UPND that he should now turn to unconventional methods to derail our campaigns,” he said.

He also said that his Party is aware of the maneuvers by the PF to silence alternative voice something he said will not happen saying people cannot be silenced.

“We are aware of all his schemes to silence the alternative voice ;
– He has revoked my flying permit
– Made my President HH and I as a campaign message and part of PF manifesto discussed during rallies
– Closed the Post Newspapers down
but the truth remains that he cannot silence the will of the people,” he said.

He vowed to continue his campaigns using whatever means possible.

“Leka Nkwebe our campaigns will continue by any means possible whether by road,by water even by air or on foot, we shall reach every corner of our beloved country,” he said.

He also bemoaned the lack of adherence to the electoral code of conduct by the ruling party.

“The Electoral Code of Conduct provides a code on how people should conduct themselves during campaigns, therefore revocation of our flying permit and grounding the helicopter is a total disregard of the electoral Code of Conduct which President Lungu as a lawyer understands.

“This act is also an assault on fundamental principles of a free and fair election and also hinges on Human Rights and good governance.

“This violation can actually go to the International Court of Justice and President Lungu can be subjected to the international tribunal,” Mr Mwamba noted.

He has since given the ECZ 48hrs to intervene in the matter or risk being taken to Court.

“However we shall start by appealing to the Electoral Commission of Zambia to intervene in this matter within 48hrs failure to which we shall take a legal route.

“I’ve used the said helicopter specifically for campaigns and according to the flying permit granted, the campaign schedule has been shared and everything has been within the law, to revoke it, is like a personal attack on me,” he said.

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of M’membe, wife and Post Editor Joseph Mwenda.

In a statement released to the media and signed by MISA Zambia President Helen Mwale, MISA said the arrest of the POST Newspaper Staff, despite being in possession of a court order, proves that the Newspaper is being Politically victimised and called on President Lungu to immediately rise to the occasion and intervene in the matter if he really believes in the freedom of the press and democracy.

Below is the full Statement

PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
28th June, 2016.

MISA Demands Immediate, unconditional Release of M’membe, wife and Post Editor Joseph Mwenda

We are alarmed by the arrest of Post Newspaper Editor-in-Chief, Fred M’membe, his wife Mutinta and Post Deputy Managing Editor, Joseph Mwenda for attempting to access their office premises following an ex-parte order staying execution of the Zambia Revenue Authority’s warrant of distress issued on June 21st, 2016.

The arrest of M’membe and his Deputy Managing Editor, who had an ex-parte order is proof that the action by the state is politically motivated and only aimed at crippling the newspaper.

It is saddening that the Police who are charged with the duty of upholding law and order decided to defy a legitimate order of the court.

State institutions, including the Zambia Police and Zambia Revenue Authority must not allow themselves to be used to achieve petty political aims but must act in a fair and reasonable manner which is above board.

It is clear that the matter is worsening by the day because of the refusal by the ZRA and other institutions to treat the Post Newspaper fairly like they would any other tax payer or media house in Zambia.

We demand that the paper be treated in a non-discriminatory manner in the interest of a media house’s freedom and continued duty to provide a platform for open debate and exchange of ideas, even those deemed to be critical and dissenting.

We strongly appeal to His Excellency, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, to immediately rise to the occasion and intervene in the matter if he really believes in the freedom of the press and democracy.

We say so because President Lungu stated at his press briefing on May 13th, 2016 that he would ensure media operate independently and without any interference or censorship from the state.

It is our belief that if President Lungu really meant this statement, the situation with the Post would have been amicably settled by now.

We call on the Inspector General of Police, Kakoma Kanganja and the Police command to immediately and unconditionally release Fred M’membe, his wife Mutinta and the Post Deputy Managing Editor, Joseph Mwenda.

It is saddening to note that in a country that boasts about being democrat, law enforcement agencies are being used to break the law and disobey court orders.

The attempts to muzzle the Press in Zambia using force will not succeed as this has already reflected badly on the current leadership with their character currently under question internationally.

Political leaders must know that this decision to close the Post Newspaper, in addition to political violence, restriction of fundamental freedoms of association, expression and movement undermines the holding of a free, fair and peaceful election.

Hellen Mwale,
MISA Zambia Chairperson

Captain David Cameron leaving the ship after UK drops the EU 

Illustrations by Black Rose The Artist

follow him on twitter @BlackRoseThA

I have always loved sweet and sour food; let’s just say that I like to mix my savoury food with my sweet food.  Oh yes, I’m a sucker for; chicken and waffles, bacon drizzled with maple syrup,  sweet chilli prawns…pretty much anything savoury that has a sweet tinge to it.  Now, I realise that not everyone feels the same way, but like they say “don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it”.  So today I thought I’d introduce you to this delicious Honey Mustard Chicken recipe, I know some of you might be doubtful, but it truly it delicious.  The honey and mustard marry together beautifully, neither overpowering the other, but simply blending together in perfect harmony, giving your taste buds some much needed excitement.

My general rule is, you have to try something at least once; and besides we only regret the things that we didn’t do…so don’t let this be one of those regrets.  Here goes!!

Preparation 15 mins | Cooking 45 mins 

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs or legs, bone in, skin on
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 118ml honey
• 118ml mustard
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
• 3 tbsp vegetable
• ½ an onion
• 1 yellow pepper
• 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped

Directions

Preheat a large pan with oil.  Season your chicken with salt and pepper.

In a small bowl, combine the honey, mustard, paprika and parsley (if you are using any); and mix well. Pour ½ of the mixture over the chicken, making sure all the chicken pieces are completely covered.

Fry the chicken in the pan, for about 20-30 minutes or until cooked through; turning them often to prevent burning.

Throw in your garlic, onions and yellow pepper, and brown them slightly.  Pour in the remaining honey mustard mixture, and add about 50ml of water.  Simmer until thickened, adding more water if needed.

To make this dish a bit healthier, try frying the chicken with about 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.

Serving

This goes perfectly with freshly steamed white rice, and a side of green beans.  Plate it up and serve piping hot. Enjoy!

Kanta Temba is a cake maker and decorator. She is also the owner and founder of Kanta Kakes – cake shop.

You can find her work on www.kantakakes.com.  Follow her on twitter @KantaKakes and Instagram @KantaTemba.

Police in Lusaka last night arrested Post News Editor Fred M’membe and his wife Mutinta including Deputy News Editor Joseph Mwenda.

This was after the trio gained entry to the Post Newspapers Head Office on Bwimjimfumu road around 01 Hours this morning following a stay that restrained Zambia Revenue Authority from seizing the newspaper’s property. 

Armed Police officers also brutally beat up Mr M’membe, his wife Mutinta and Mr Mwenda before bundling them in a police van which drove off to Lusaka Central Police where they have been locked up.

Post Newspapers Lawyer Nchima Nchito was also beaten when he tried to reason with police when they were beating up the trio.

Police later started towing cars of Post employees away from Bwinjimfumu road who had gone back to their offices following a court order restraining ZRA from seizing Post property.