Officers from the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) raided the premises of the Post Newspapers, and blocked workers from accessing its offices and printing plant in execution of a warrant of distress on its failure to pay taxes, grounding the newspaper to a halt.
Mumba, who is also leader of the opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), said the closure of the paper represents one of the darkest days in the country’s history and that it was unfortunate that the current government’s intolerance, intimidation and victimization of opposition political parties has been turned onto the media.
He has since demanded the immediate reopening of the newspaper and that an immediate negotiation on payments be arranged.
Rowena Zulu, the paper’s general manager for finance, said officers from the revenue agency arrived at the premises around 5 p.m Tuesday in the company of police officers and demanded that the company pays its tax arrears, according to local media.
She said despite the newspaper showing the officers that the money the revenue agency was demanding had already been paid almost in total, the officers refused to withdraw the warrant of distress.
She said the officers proceeded to lock up the premises and switched off the printing press and left armed police officers to keep vigil.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter said it was closely monitoring the situation and it will soon inform the nation on what action will be taken. Enditem
Source: Xinhua/NewsGhana.com.gh
