. Kambwili

By STEVEN ZANDE and KASONDE KASONDE –
CHIEF Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili has refuted allegations that the State influenced Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to shut down The Post newspapers on Tuesday.
Dr Kambwili said it was wrong to blame the Government for closure of The Post by ZRA because the publication was closed on genuine grounds.
The newspaper company offices were closed after ZRA issued a warrant of distress on the company in order to recover millions of Kwacha in unpaid taxes.
Post proprietor Fred M’membe on Tuesday evening told reporters who sought a comment on why the paper had been closed to put the question to President Edgar Lungu because he was Head of State.
Dr Kambwili said in an interview yesterday that ZRA was an independent institution whose mandate was to collect taxes from individuals and institutions.
“This is a straightforward issue. Government did not have a hand in this, ZRA was merely performing its tax collection duties. The Post should just pay what they owe ZRA,” he said.
Dr Kambwili said it was just a coincidence that ZRA closed The Post when the tabloid was criticising everything about Government.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Republican Party (ZRP) president, Wright Musoma said The Post newspaper should not politicise the shutdown but instead own up and pay their taxes.
Mr Musoma said it was unwise for the newspaper to accuse the Government of persecuting them when in fact they were evading taxes which they were required to pay by law.

“Paying taxes in this country is an obligation and every person and organisation is mandated to pay tax to ZRA without any excuse,” Mr Musoma said.
And Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) vice-president Charles Kafumbo said the Government depended on revenue to run the country and everyone should ensure that they paid their dues.
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has, however, appealed to the Government to reconsider its decision to close down The Post newspapers and save hundreds of workers.
HRC chief of information, education and training Mweelwa Muleya said the commission appreciated the fact that ZRA exhausted the legal process leading to their action to close The Post, but it was a matter of human rights law.
Media Liaison Committee (MLC) chairperson Enock Ngoma has called on the ZRA to amicably resolve the issue and allow The Post newspaper to reopen.
Meanwhile, Police yesterday fired teargas to disperse United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres who caused chaos on Bwinjimfumu Road when they went to offer solidarity to Post newspaper workers who decided to operate a newsroom outside the gate of their premises despite being shut.
Police fired teargas to disperse the unlawful gathering.
Police were not available for a comment.
The newspaper managed to print the paper and was being sold at K15.