STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA a) Purchase of 42 fire tenders at US$42 million Early in October, as though in defence of government’s action, the Zambia Daily Mail60 reported that the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) confirmed that the procurement of fire tenders had been properly processed. The Director General of ZPPA, Mr Davies Chisenda informed the Minister of Finance, Mr Felix Mutati that the Ministry of Local Government had followed the stipulated public procurement tender process before buying 42 fire tenders at a total cost of US$42 million. Mr Chisenda said that the ZPPA advised the Ministry of Local Government to ensure that the bidding process was competitive rather than adopt a single sourcing procedure. A total of 16 companies had participated in the bid. The report did not, however, place the procurement in any context, taking into account the public outcry. A day earlier, the Fire Service Association of Zambia president, Mr Lawrence Tubi said that the procurement of the 42 tailor-made fire tenders had secured the country’s local and foreign-owned investments.61 In addition other fire experts serving at various fire stations in Chililabombwe, Kalulushi and Kitwe were reported to have said that the purchase of the fire tenders was justified because they were advanced and had all the necessary components needed to help fire fighters to effectively put out infernos and attend to other emergencies. b) Mandatory HIV testing On 6 October 2017 Minister of Health, Dr Chitalu Chilufya distributed 200 HIV self-test kits to Members of Parliament.62 Although the report merely indicated that the Health Minister was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm of the MPs, it was also hoped that each of the recipients of the kits would undertake the self-test and know one’s HIV status and advance the intentions and spirit of the presidential decree on mandatory HIV in Zambia made on 15 August 2017. 60 ZDM Procurement process was followed, says ZPPA 6 October 2017 p.2 ZDM Leave fire engines matter to us – experts 5 October 2017 p.1 62 ZDM MPs take HIV self-tests at Parly 9 October 2017 p.6 61 24