(MISA/IFEX) – On 27 May 2001, Catholic owned station Radio Icengelo, in Kitwe, northern Zambia, went off the air because of a fire which swept through parts of the station building. The fire destroyed official documents, office equipment and furniture and disrupted the electricity supply. The station was back on air two days later, on […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 27 May 2001, Catholic owned station Radio Icengelo, in Kitwe, northern Zambia, went off the air because of a fire which swept through parts of the station building. The fire destroyed official documents, office equipment and furniture and disrupted the electricity supply. The station was back on air two days later, on 29 May 2001.
According to MISA’s sources, further investigation showed that the fire was a deliberate attempt to silence the community radio station. The investigation showed that a burning object was thrown through an open window. Although the studios were well protected, sources confirmed that studio equipment was damaged in the process. No official estimate of the damage is available at this time.
The attack follows on a number of recent incidences, including an attack on Father Vas Miha, who is linked to the station, the stoning of another Zambian priest, Father Daka, in his own house by government cadres, and repeated telephonic threats to “silence the radio station.”
Father Vas Miha confirmed that the radio station intends to install a booster for Ndola and surrounding rural areas, effectively increasing its broadcasting range.
