Zambia's ruling party says not behind private newspaper closure

Zambia's ruling party on Wednesday denied accusations that it was behind the closure of the country's main private newspaper because of its strong stance against the current regime.

On Tuesday, officers from the country's revenue collection agency, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), raided the offices of the Post Newspaper over unpaid taxes after the Supreme Court ruled against the paper.

Stakeholders have condemned the decision, saying it was meant to silence the paper which has been critical of the current regime and is being used as the only media for opposition leaders ahead of the August 11 polls.

But Kelvin Fube, the Patriotic Front ( PF) vice chairman for elections, said the party has nothing to do with the closure of the newspaper, adding that the revenue collection agency was only exercised its responsibility of ensuring that the paper complies with its tax obligations, according to state broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

Meanwhile, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter has called on the revenue collection agency to reconsider its actions and has since questioned the move behind the closure.

Officials from the media body visited the closed Post Newspaper offices in Lusaka, the country's capital, and found workers standing outside while state police kept vigil.

Hellen Mwale, the chairperson of the media body, said it was clear that the move was politically motivated and wondered why the revenue collection agency has not closed other companies owe it in unpaid taxes.

The paper has been operating for the last 25 years. Endit