By RABECCA CHIPANTA –
ZAMBIA’S Ambassador to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba has written to the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) in response to media attacks attributed to its general secretary, Irvin Jim, on happenings in Zambia.
In his letter to NUMSA, Mr Mwamba noted with alarm the Press statements issued to the Zambian media relating to the happenings surrounding the operations of the liquidated Post, and Mast newspapers in Zambia.
He said although the statements did not appear on NUMSA’s official communications and could not support the official position of the union, the high commission was compelled to respond, because the messages purported to represent a view of the union and because of the extent of the misdirection on the matters.

MWAMBA

Mr Mwamba said it was for this reason that he decided to brief the union on the matter as well as media freedom in Zambia.
“It is important to state that Zambia enjoys wide democratic media space and has numerous independent and private newspaper publications. The country also has over 10 private television stations and over 80 commercial and community radio stations,” the letter read in part.
Mr Mwamba explained that Zambia had guaranteed media freedom and freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution.
Mr Mwamba outlined the various reasons why the two newspapers were facing problems with the law.
He informed NUMSA that from the stated facts, it was clear that the troubles that the two newspapers faced could not be a result of the Government’s interference or harassment.
He said this could not, therefore, attract a justifiable media campaign against President Edgar Lungu or his Government.
“It is, therefore, absurd to read your statements threatening a boycott of Zambian goods, threatening to stage picketing at the Zambian High Commission and pledging to raise a campaign against trade between Zambia and South Africa because of a company that has wilfully failed to pay its tax obligations or broken the country’s laws,” he said in his letter.
Mr Mwamba said Zambia was one of South Africa’s biggest regional trading partners with an average annual volume of business amounting to US$3.8 billion with more than 100 active companies based and participating in all sectors of the country’s economy. Mr Mwamba said it was clear that the two countries and peoples enjoyed warm and cordial relations, ‘born out of blood, sweat and love’.
He said the bond could not be broken by support for a company closed due to alleged tax default or by careless and inflamatory media statements such as those attributed to NUMSA.
“As a workers’ union, we expect you to stand in solidarity with any government or agencies keen to collect due taxes and revenue to help foster national development, a government keen to uplift the welfare of workers and determined to combat poverty that afflicts the majority of our people,” Mr Mwamba said.
Mr Mwamba invited NUMSA to a meeting to help resolve some of their perceived concerns.