PF A ‘Terrorist Organisation’ - HH

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has labelled the PF a ‘terrorist organisation’, after members of the party repeatedly interrupted radio broadcasts where the opposition leader was due to speak.

On Monday evening, suspected members of the PF threw a canister containing an unknown gas into the studio of Iso FM in Isoka, during a live programme in which Mr Hichilema was featured. 

The station’s manager, Frederick Mkandawire, reported that a mob of over 30 PF cadres assaulted the station and overpowered security.

“There was no chance to talk to anyone, it was just noise and then they threw something like teargas in the studios, as I am talking to you, I am choking because of the gas,” he said.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Mr Hichilema admonished the attack, describing it as “state-sponsored terrorism by the PF”.

He charged the government with acting in an undemocratic manner and hoped that Zambians would not repeat the mistake of “giving public office to people that are terrorists at heart.” 

The attack followed two similar incidents last week in Muchinga Province. On Wednesday 13th May, PF District Commissioner for Mpika Moses Katebe interrupted a broadcast by Mpika FM that was due to feature Mr Hichilema. That Friday, suspected PF cadres attacked Muchinga Radio’s station in Chinsali in a similar fashion to the incident on Monday.

Mr Hichilema concluded his remarks on Tuesday by intimating that the attacks, along with the state closure of Prime TV, was part of the PF’s broader plan to shut down critical media outlets in Zambia.

“What have they done to the media, the PF closed The Post Newspapers. Post Newspapers were in existence even under the One-Party State… Zambians can say they are surprised, they shouldn’t be surprised, Prime Television gets closed. So, the closure of Prime Television is part of this grandiose scheme under the PF to shut down the media,’ he said. 

Iso FM staff sheltering from the gas attack