
The Patriotic Front Media and publicity committee has castigated the Post Newspaper for it’s headlines and editorial which it has described as disrespectful to the office of the president.
Today’s Post editorial said what the nation is not being told is that President Lungu has a history of collapsing. The newspaper said last year on April 23, the day Mr.Lungu was appointed defence minister, he was almost in a similar situation at State House. Mr.Lungu could not attend the swearing-in ceremony after noticing that his sugar level was low. Edgar Lungu, who had earlier walked out of the auditorium twice, told Post reporter Roy Habaalu that his sugar level was low.
After noticing that Edgar Lungu’s walking out of the auditorium was not coordinated, Wynter Kabimba shouted: “Imwe mugwileni uyo Edgar! Roy, mugwileni Edgar azagwa (Hey, hold him, he will fall down).” Fearing that Edgar was about to fall, Roy held him by his hand and took him outside and sat him down in the lobby. “…yah, my sugar level is very low. I have the sweets, don’t worry, I will be fine,” Edgar told Mwansa Kapeya and Roy as security officers positioned themselves to help. Roy loosened Edgar’s shoelaces to allow blood to flow more easily the Post Editorial read.
The Editorial went on to say there is no need to try and deny the fact that Edgar Lungu has a drinking problem. And this is the source of these other challenges he is facing. It needs to be addressed. If Edgar does not address the alcohol problem, it will be very difficult for him to manage his low sugar levels.The Post newspaper said there is no need for those in State House to try and cheat themselves that people don’t know that Edgar has a drinking problem. Edgar Lungu did not emerge from Mars to come and rule us. He came from among us to be our President. So many people know him and his drinking problem. Let him deal with this problem. It is not a new problem; it is an old problem. It is now becoming a challenge because Edgar is in the public spotlight.
In a media statement released to the media and speaking on behalf of the PF media and publicity committee,Mr.Sunday Chanda said it is shockingly that the Post Newspaper has all of a sudden turned into “medical experts,”.Mr Chanda said the Post Newspaper was even questioning findings and recommendations of the very competent medical team managing the President at Maina Soko Military hospital led by Dr Kasonde and Dr Kishore. Mr.Chanda said Zambia Medical Association may also wish to take interest in this matter where a mere newspaper ignorant in medical matters goes on to speculate and publish with impunity alleged medical challenges of the President. MISA may also need to take interest in the journalism ethics and professionalism as they relate to this newspaper. Mr Chanda said Zambians appreciate that for the first time in the nation’s history, State House has been very transparent on the President’s health challenge and even published findings and recommendations of the medical experts – a fact acknowledged even by the Post newspaper itself.Mr.Chanda said the Post Newspaper is wishing the President ill will and mocking and exaggerating about his health challenge