Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Post newspaper proprietor Fred M’membe says the closing down of the newspaper by the Zambia Revenue Authority is a temporal setback.
Mr M’membe has told his workers that it is him they are after by closing the newspaper.
Addressing his workers outside the closed Post offices this morning, Mr. M’membe wondered why workers have to be made to suffer when it is him they are after.
He however, states that he is ready to face the consequences of anything he has done wrong; stressing that if he has done anything wrong he should be sent to prison.
Mr. M’membe says what is happening to the Post is discrimination on the basis of the newspaper’s editorial policy and political views.
He states that if they think this is victory for them, their victory will not last long.
Meanwhile Copies of the Post Newspaper are on the streets despite last evening’s action by the Zambia Revenue Authority which ground the newspaper’s operations to a halt as they executed a warrant of distress.
The newspaper which is said to be owing ZRA about K68 million has hit the streets with a headline banner ‘ZRA TURNS POST OFF’.
ZRA officers raided the newspaper’s offices on Bwinjimfumu road and the printing press last evening demanding that the company pays a total of K68 million disputed tax arrears, before locking its offices and placing them under Police guard.
The move by the Zambia Revenue Authority follows a Supreme Court ruling of 16th June, 2016 which dismissed a stay of execution the High Court had granted the Post Newspapers restraining ZRA from executing a warrant of distress for tax default.
And the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia has described as shocking the development at the Post newspaper.
MISA Zambia Chapter Chairperson Helen Mwale has wondered why the Post newspaper has been targeted by the Zambia Revenue Authority when there many institutions which owe the Revenue Authority.
Ms Mwale has since called for an amicable solution to resolving the issue.