IPI, AMI want Zambia to allow opposition daily to reopen

IPI and the African Media Initiative (AMI) have called on Zambian authorities to allow opposition daily, The Post, to reopen immediately, noting that the apparent politically motivated attempt to silence it ahead of elections is part of a chain of events raising deep concerns over the state of democracy in the country. The delegates travelled […]

IPI and the African Media Initiative (AMI) have called on Zambian authorities to allow opposition daily, The Post, to reopen immediately, noting that the apparent politically motivated attempt to silence it ahead of elections is part of a chain of events raising deep concerns over the state of democracy in the country.
The delegates travelled to Lusaka from July 13 to 15, 2016, as part of a joint emergency press freedom mission in which they met with representatives from government, the leading opposition party, The Post, the judiciary, civil society and foreign diplomatic missions to discuss the June 21 closure of The Post’s offices and printing press, and the seizure of its assets, over disputed tax debts.
The groups note that an order by Zambia’s Revenue Appeals Tribunal last month set forth a path to resolve the matter, which centres on allegedly unpaid income tax withholding and VAT receipts. The order directs the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to release The Post’s bank accounts and hand back its premises and equipment so that it can conduct business.