FPI writes IG over Mast journalist detention

FPI writes IG over Mast journalist detention

By George Zulu

THE Free Press Initiative (FPI) has written to Inspector General of Police, Graphel Musamba, expressing deep concern over the detention of the Kabwe-based Mast Newspaper reporter Thandizo Banda.

FPI founder and executive director Joan Chirwa, in her letter dated August 26, 2025 said the arrest and brief detention of Banda while on duty was an affront to media freedom.

Chirwa said Banda was detained by police officers after taking a picture of Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis, who had gone to Kabwe’s Chowa Police to visit her murder accused daughter Maria Zaloumis.

“We write to express our deep concern regarding the recent brief detention of Thandizo Banda, a Kabwe-based Mast newspaper correspondent, for simply taking a photograph of a vehicle carrying Electoral Commission of Zambia Chairperson, Mrs Mwangala Zaloumis, during her visit to Chowa police station to see her murder-accused daughter,” she said.

She explained that at no time did Banda force himself into the Officer-in –Charge’s office as claimed.

Chirwa said Zaloumis’ driver, with two others dragged Banda after seeing him taking pictures of the vehicle.

“On August 24, 2025, around 11:00 hours in Kabwe at Chowa Police Station, the driver of the ECZ chairperson’s vehicle and two others approached Thandizo, grabbed his mobile phone, which he used to capture images of the vehicle carrying Mrs Zaloumis, and handed him over to the police officers at the station,” she said.

Chirwa said it is important for the Zambia Police Service to allow journalists carry on their work in public interest.

“While this is the narration of events based on our internal investigations, the Police Service issued a statement that the journalist conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, a criminal offence provided for in Section 178(f) of the Penal Code Act. As you may be aware, journalists play a crucial role in holding those in power accountable and bringing important issues to the public’s attention. It is therefore essential that they are allowed to perform these duties without fear of harassment, intimidation, or arrest,” she said.

Chirwa said it was concerning that the police’s way   of handling the matter concerning Banda may have been influenced by the desire to silence and intimidate the reporter.

“We are concerned that the handling of this situation by the police may have been influenced by a desire to silence or intimidate Thandizo rather than conduct a genuine investigation into the facts,” Chirwa said.

She urged the police to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, and that Banda should be treated fairly and with respect, and his admission of guilt for the offence made under duress quashed forthwith.

“We further call on your office to take a keen interest in the police’s handling of journalists and their commitment to the safety and protection of media workers who play an important role in holding those in authority accountable,” said Chirwa.