Friday, February 12, 2010

Opposition Member of Parliament storms into private television station premises and threatens violence
Opposition Member of Parliament storms into private television station premises and threatens violence

On 20 January 2010 police in Lusaka opened a docket against Patriotic Front (PF), Roan Member of Parliament (MP) Chishimba Kambwili for allegedly threatening violence at two guests who appeared on a MUVI TV programme on 19 January 2010.

Police service spokesperson Bonny Kapeso, said that his office received a report through Woodlands Police Station, that Kambwili went to MUVI television with a gun and that police had since launched investigations in the matter. Kapeso said that if the reports are true and factual, Kambwili will be arrested and charged with threatening violence.

In a statement released to MISA-Zambia, Muvi Television Director of Administration and Operations Alfred Tembo expressed displeasure over the unruly conduct by the Member of Parliament.

“MUVI television management would like to express its displeasure over the unruly conduct of Honorable Chishimba Kambwili MP at our premises on the night of Tuesday 19th January 2010,” the statement read.

Tembo narrates that on the material day, Kambwili drove into the premises and informed security personnel at the gate that he had come to pick up PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba after he featured on 19 January 2010 edition of the “Hot Issue” programme. He said that upon parking his vehicle, the MP in the company of some PF sympathizers forced their way into the stations reception foyer seeking audience with former University of Zambia Student’s Union (UNZASU) leaders, Antonio Mwanza and Stanford Kabwata, who were also guests on the same programme. Kambwili was not pleased with the views of the former student leaders whilst on the programme.

Tembo further said that MUVI TV was in possession of footage of Kambwili’s aggressive and unruly conduct against the defenseless guests.

MISA-Zambia Chairperson, Henry Kabwe condemned the action by the MP and expressed sadness that such acts of violence against the media and people who express their views are continuing even after media bodies staged a protest in 2009.

Kabwe said in view of the forth coming 2011 general elections, MISA-Zambia plans to meet leaders of political parties to sensitize them of the need to refrain from acts of violence against people with divergent views and exercise tolerance. //End//