The Media Institute of Southern Africa Zambia chapter has called for the immediate scraping off of the “Publication of False News” from the laws of zambia.

The institute said it is saddened with the recording of a warn and caution massage from Hot FM Station Manager Changwe Kabwe for allegedly publishing false news about the president’s health.

MISA Zambia chairperson Hellen Mwale has condemned the Zambia police for recording a warn and caution from Mr. Kabwe when he did all he could to ensure that he had facts on the story in which he even called the president’s assistant Mr. George Chella for clarification and his voice was played during the news.

“We have been ably informed that Mr George Chella, the president’s spokesperson gave a response to this matter which was played on the station several times. Therefore, the station was playing its duty by informing the nation of what the correct position was regarding the matter and therefore cannot amount to publication of false news to cause fear and alarm.

“This step by the Zambia Police is uncalled for, as President Michael Sata was voted for by the people of Zambia who do have the right to know what is happening to him and this should never amount to a crime”.

Police in Lusaka yesterday warned and cautioned HOT FM News editor Changwe Kabwe for allegedly publishing false news contrary to section 67 of the laws of Zambia.Mr Changwe who arrived at the police Force Headquarters in the company of his lawyer Marshal Mucheende and Station Manager Oscar Chavula at about 10:00 hours was interrogated for about an hour before the police decided to warn and caution him.

Mr. Muchende of Dindi and Company described the summoning of the journalist as direct assault on the freedom of the press in Zambia. Mr. Muchende said that the summoning and pending arrest of Mr Kabwe was aimed at sending chilling and intimidatory effects on Zambian journalists so that they stop investigative journalism.

He said that the constitution was clear on the matter by guaranteeing freedoms of the Press and provided that there shall be no derogatory or claw back clauses or exception whatsoever in the freedom of the press and that police was directly assaulting the very same provisions of the constitution.

Mr. Muchende explained that the offence of publication of false information had taken centre stage in the manner the police were managing the law.He explained that it was the same charge which Richard Sakala, Simon Mwanza of the Daily Nation and McDonald Chipenzi of FODEP are facing and awaiting the determination of the High Court.
“These people were charged under section 67 of the laws of Zambia, there is also another case Hakainde Hichilema vs the people, you may also be aware that the provision of section 67 have been referred to the High Court for constitutional determination, so for me this is about intimidating journalists,” said Mr. Muchende.

MISA Zambia chairperson Hellen Mwale said her institution is amazed with the level of intimidation being exhibited by government using state machinery on a straight forward and democratic matter and right.

Ms. Mwale has demanded for the immediate repeal of the ‘publication of force news law’ so as to make the media and public enjoy their rights to freedom of expression and access to information.

“Based on the above reasons and the careless use and broad translation of what could constitute publication of false news and how it has become a weapon for intimidating journalists,we demand for the repeal of this law in order for the media and the citizens to enjoy their inherent rights to freedom of expression and access to information”.

The people of Western province hold the key in alleviating the poverty affecting the area by electing good and responsible leadership, said opposition UPND president Hakainde Hichilema.

Speaking when he welcomed more than 500 defectors from MMD, PF, ADD, ULP in Mongu, Western province yesterday, 16th June 2014, afternoon at the New Apostolic Conference Centre, Mr. Hichilema maintained that PF was a one-term government.

He called for peace and unity among all Zambians in order to develop the country.

Mr. Hichilema’s meeting went ahead despite police attempts to block him.

It took the intervention of the Barotse King, the Litunga through the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) to order that all the UPND activities must go ahead as planned as Mr. Hichilema was a free man of the province and guest of the Litunga.

Mr. Hichilema urged all those who joined the party to immediately start campaigning ahead of the 2016 elections.

“Don’t be intimidated by the police. Start campaigning now ahead of 2016 elections. In UPND, there are no old and new members. You are all the same so feel free to contribute positively to the growth of your party and recruit more members,” Mr. Hichilema told the the people that joined.

He said PF was a failed project that survives on borrowing and increasing the national and international debt for future generations instead of creating wealthy locally.

“There is more hunger now in people’s homes than ever before. Fuel prices, mealie meal prices, electricity tariffs, water and all other commodities have all gone up and are still going up” he said.

Mr. Hichilema also said there was a total breakdown of law and order in the country as Zambians have now been suffocated by the PF regime that has curtailed their freedoms of assembly, free speech and general deterioration in people’s basic human rights.

“We are always at pains and wondering what legacy Mr. Sata and his PF regime wants to leave the people of Zambia in 2016. One would think that Mr. Sata at 72 or 77 years, whichever is correct as he keeps changing his years, would strive to leave a peaceful and united Zambia for future generations when his time comes as opposed to the current acrimony existing,” he said.

While thanking the BRE for the role they played in Mongu, Mr. Hichilema warned police officers and other law enforcement agencies in the country against carrying out unlawful instructions from dictatorial and evil PF politicians.

“There are no special shops for you police officers and other law enforcement agencies where you buy cheap things. We are all Zambians that should love one another. Even you police officers are feeling the same anguish and pinch in your homes that other fellow Zambians are going through. Don’t be excited when Mr. Sata calls you to execute unlawful instructions that are injurious to your families and other citizens because PF is a one term government,” Mr. Hichilema said.

Meanwile, Mr Hichilema has said that he hopes government’s intentions to start blending fuel in the country will not end up as mere political rhetoric.

Energy, Mines and Water Development Permanent Secretary Charity Mwansa recently disclosed to Qfm News that government will in the next few weeks float a tender for the supplying of Ethanol and setting up of a plant where the blending of fuel in the country will be processed.

But Mr. Hichilema told Qfm News in a phone interview that his party wants the PF government to go ahead and implement the idea considering the high fuel pump price.

Mr Hichilema said that he does not expect the announcement by government to be a mere experiment as has been the case with the many unimplemented pronouncement.

He said that there is need to always plan well before making any policy pronouncements to avoid failure to implement them.

Nine time Zambia Music Award winning, AFRIMMA nominated, and all round hip hop sensation, Slapdee has now partnered with International beverage producer Pepsi and South African ticket system management giant, Computicket, to bring you Zambia’s first ever Computicket event: “Slapdee Unplugged” on the 26th and 27th of June 2014 at the NASDEC Sports Complex.
In what will be forever remembered as the concert of the year, hip hop legend Slapdee will take to the stage live and unplugged alongside the Kanon Ensemble Orchestra, the Evolutionary Band, Engwase (accapella group), and various other surprise collaborations, to bring you a collection of his greatest hits including performances from his latest album: ” The Business”
For Slapdee himself, this concert is a very proud moment as it will mark his 10th year of being a force to be reckoned with in the Zambian music industry. This concert also marks the beginning of a new era as Slapdee forges ahead to take his musical career to the next level and cement himself as the leading hip hop artist in Zambia.
A first in Zambian hip hop, Slapdee follows in the footsteps of international legends such as LL Cool J, Lil Wayne and Jay Z in daring to do an unplugged concert with no playbacks, no DJs and no opening acts, only the sound of music as it was meant to be heard.
Slapdee, who has brought us hits such as Solala, Disposable, Selecta, Nomba Ninshi, Looking for Love and the unforgettable, Kuyichila, will also be setting the stage for his current album The Business,which already boasts such hits as RTSA, Remember, Kokolapo and Kalibu.
As for Zambia, this show carries another first as it is Computicket’s first involvement in the music industry of Zambia. Computicket, which is the largest ticket management company In South Africa and has been responsible for artists such as Cold Play, Jay Z, Drake, R Kelly, Trey Songz and Lil Wayne performing in South Africa, will now be collaborating with a Zambian artist for the first time through Slapdee Unplugged by providing their world class ticket services to the show.
For Zambians, this means that all concert tickets are available at any Shoprite store in Lusaka and your ticket has all the safety features of Computicket which means it cannot be duplicated or stolen for use by another person.
In their first real interaction with a Zambian artist, Slapdee would also like to thank Pepsi for being the headline sponsor for the show alongside sponsors such as Ster Kinekor, Markham, Soundwave, Media 365 and Signamara.
With all this on offer, Slapdee has decided to peg the show tickets at only K40 as he would like all his fans, who have been with him all this time, and all music lovers to come and enjoy his greatest show ever .

PRESIDENT Sata has revoked the appointment of Lameck Mangani as Patriotic Front Eastern Province chairperson, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation reported last evening.

Mr Sata revoked the appointment of Mr Mangani in a letter dated June 13, 2014, copied to party national chairperson Inonge Wina and secretary general Wynter Kabimba.

He thanked Mr Mangani for the service rendered to the party during the time he served as chairperson.

The President has replaced Mr Mangani with Attan Mwamba.

He urged Mr Mwamba to foster unity in the ruling party.

Mr Mwamba was provincial vice-chairperson under Lucas Phiri.

Mr Mangani was recently accused of dividing the party in the province.