to disrupt sales of the privately owned The Post newspaper in Lusaka by attacking the newspaper’s vendors, both at the printing plant in the industrial area and outside the Times of Zambia offices in the city centre, where vendors gather to collect most newspaper titles sold in the city. Post newspapers Executive Editor, Amos Malupenga, told MISA Zambia that some MMD cadres armed with machetes ambushed the vendors between 05h00 and 06h00 hours, and grabbed about 2500 copies of the 15 June 2005 edition of The Post newspaper headlined “Levy U-turns on Bulaya’s nolle,” in reference to a dramatic decision by the State to re-institute criminal proceedings against former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, Kashiwa Bulaya, who is alleged to have made the government lose about K3 billion (US640 000) through the purchase of anti-retroviral drugs of questionable quality from Bulgaria. · ALERT Date: June 14, 2005 Persons/Institutions: Post Newspaper Violation: Threatened On June 14 2005 ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) women cadres were shown on Zambia National Broadcasting Television’s main bulleting at 19h00 calling for the banning of The Post for its attacks on President Levy Mwanawasa. Until this sudden turn of events, The Post had been running a campaign for almost a month calling for the prosecution of Bulaya and accusing President Levy Mwanawasa, Justice Minster George Kunda and Director of Public Prosecutions Chalwe Mchenga, of shielding the former permanent secretary because he had allegedly testified in favour of Mwanawasa when his presidency was challenged in the Supreme Court by some opposition parties. On June 14, 2005, the government bowed to pressure from The Post, opposition parties, civil society groups and the public calling for the prosecution of Bulaya. Justice Minister Kunda said the nolle prosequi would be withdrawn and Bulaya would be tried. · ALERT (including updates) Date: June 14, 2005 Persons/Institutions: Anthony Mukwita Violation: Threatened (questioned) On June 14 2005, Lusaka police questioned Anthony Mukwita, a Radio Phoenix “Let the People Talk” programme host, over a fax anonymously sent, which he had read on air during the June 10 broadcast of the programme. The fax accused the government of condoning corruption and warned that the country might slip into anarchy as a result. The Chief Investigations Officer for Lusaka Division and two detectives followed Mukwita to the MISA Zambia offices from where he operates and questioned him in connection with the fax, signed only “Annoyed Zambians”. Mukwita was interviewed in the presence of MISA Zambia’s chairperson, Kellys Kaunda. Another interview was set for 16 June 2005 but the police failed to show up. * June 16, 2005: Radio Phoenix terminates Mukwita’s contract citing his decision to read the controversial fax on the “Let the People Talk” programme, among other reasons. * June 17, 2005: Lusaka division police commanding officer, Chendela Musonda, accuse Mukwita of avoiding questioning by police in connection with his June 10 broadcast of “Let the People Talk” programme on Radio Phoenix, which has unsettled authorities. * June 22, 2005: Police have recorded a warn and caution statement from Mukwita. Mukwita’s lawyer Sakwiba Sikota confirmed the development saying Mukwita was being investigated under Section 57 sub-sections (a) and (b) of the Penal Code and Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia. Sikota said Mukwita is liable to a sentence of seven years imprisonment or a fine of 6 000 penalty fees or both, if found guilty So This Is Democracy? 2005 -138- Media Institute of Southern Africa