(MISA/IFEX) – On 25 August 2000, Henry Chilufya, deputy news editor of the privately-owned Radio Phoenix, was illegally detained and roughed-up for at least an hour, allegedly by members of the ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), in Lusaka. Chilufya told the Zambia Independent Media Association (ZIMA/MISA-Zambia) that he was on assignment, investigating reports of […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 25 August 2000, Henry Chilufya, deputy news editor of the privately-owned Radio Phoenix, was illegally detained and roughed-up for at least an hour, allegedly by members of the ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), in Lusaka.
Chilufya told the Zambia Independent Media Association (ZIMA/MISA-Zambia) that he was on assignment, investigating reports of alleged extortion by MMD cadres at Lusaka’s sprawling Soweto Market, when about fifteen party members descended on him while he was interviewing the marketeers’ association president, Robert Nyemba. Nyemba had earlier issued a press statement to Radio Phoenix condemning the illegal practices.
Chilufya, who suffered injuries to his back and leg during the ordeal, said his notebook was shredded to pieces during the ensuing scuffle, while his tape recorder and press identity card were grabbed from him. They were only returned when police intervened. “The tape recorder was tampered with. The tape was removed and returned later, but there was little damage to the recorder,” Chilufya said. He was treated for his injuries at Lusaka’s University Teaching Hospital.
Both Radio Phoenix and the police confirmed the incident.
Police spokesman Lemmy Kajoba confirmed that Chilufya’s attackers were MMD cadres who were incensed by the news story, which was aired on Radio Phoenix on 24 August. He added that two members of the marketeers association were also beaten in the incident, but were rescued from further beating by Lusaka’s police commanding officer,
who rushed to the scene with reinforcements.
Kajoba said that police were investigating the matter and had opened dockets against the people alleged to have assaulted Chilufya and the others. He hoped to make arrests soon.
ZIMA chairperson Masautso Phiri deplored the beating of the reporter, saying such behaviour could not be condoned in a democracy. He hoped the MMD leadership would exercise control and discipline over their cadres.
