(MISA/IFEX) – On 29 January 2004, Thom Chiumia and Chikumbutso Mtumodzi, two journalists who are also politicians, halted printing of the privately owned “The Dispatch” newspaper and seized the printed copy and plates. Chiumia is president of the New Dawn for Africa (NDA) political party and Mtumodzi is the NDA’s secretary-general. The NDA supports the […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 29 January 2004, Thom Chiumia and Chikumbutso Mtumodzi, two journalists who are also politicians, halted printing of the privately owned “The Dispatch” newspaper and seized the printed copy and plates.
Chiumia is president of the New Dawn for Africa (NDA) political party and Mtumodzi is the NDA’s secretary-general. The NDA supports the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) party and is widely believed to be funded by UDF supporters.
According to Lusungu Mhango, production manager of the Karora printing and publishing company, Chiumia and Mtumodzi went to his printing press to print their own newspaper, “The Informer”. When they arrived, they became angry after discovering that “The Dispatch” newspaper was being printed.
“They wielded a knife and threatened everyone around. Some of my staff members sustained injuries,” Mhango said. He said his company lost over K70,000 (approx. US$650) as a result of Chiumia’s and Mtumodzi’s actions.
While denying his involvement in the incident, Chiumia said he wanted to teach the printers a lesson regarding respect for the government. “I believe in media freedom. I cannot fight ‘The Dispatch’. But I will fight printers who have hidden agendas and want to embarrass the government,” he said.
He claimed that the printers sidelined his paper despite advance payment and printed “The Dispatch” instead, which he said criticises the government.
“The Dispatch” managing director Martines Namingha said he was not surprised by Chiumia’s and Mtumodzi’s actions and that they have always tried to interfere in his operations.
“A few days ago they wrote in their paper that I am funded by National Democratic Alliance President Brown Mpinganjira. They even quoted Republican President Gwanda Chakuamba as saying that I am funded by Mpinganjira. I talked to Chakuamba and he denied having talked to them,” Namingha said.
