Based on information provided to IPI, on 15 June, vendors working for The Post newspaper in Lusaka, Zambia, were apparently attacked by a group allegedly close to the ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD).

During the attack, the group, some of whom wielded machetes and pangas, stole around 2,000 copies of the 15 June edition of The Post. Members of the group claimed that the newspaper had insulted the government of President Levy Mwanawasa.

The claims are related to The Post’s coverage of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) decision to discontinue a legal action involving embezzlement charges against Kashiwa Bulaya, a former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health.

The nolle prosequi decision caused outrage among the public, particularly in light of an anti-corruption campaign launched by Mwanawasa’s government when it entered office in 2002. As a result of the public outcry and accusations that the constitutional power had been abused, Zambia’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, George Kunda, directed the DPP to reopen the case.

In his statement regarding his decision, Kunda said, “In view of the public outcry and interest that the discontinuance of the case has generated, I have reviewed my decision and directed the Director of Public Prosecutions under article 56 (7) of the Constitution to reinstitute criminal proceedings against Dr. Bulaya.”

Bulaya was originally charged with allegedly redirecting around US$600,000 earmarked for anti-retroviral drugs to a company he apparently has a share in. Prior to the entry of nolle prosequi, Bulaya’s case was being prosecuted by the Task Force on Corruption, a special body set up to tackle corruption in Zambia.

“The assault on vendors by individuals apparently close to the government is a worrying feature of a case that has caused concern since the nolle prosequi was first entered. I hope the government will strongly criticise the action of these individuals and ensure that those involved are quickly found and prosecuted,” said IPI Director, Johann P. Fritz.

“Like other institutions in society, the media can play a significant role in exposing corruption wherever it is found and I would expect the government to embrace this work rather than allow individuals to undermine it.”