Ex-information permanent secretary arrested
Former information permanent secretary, professor Sam Phiri has been arrested in connection with freelance journalist Chanda Chimba III's documentaries that were critical of president Michael Sata in the run up to the 2011 polls.
Prof. Phiri was arrested on Tuesday morning, 15 January 2013, and is being held at Woodlands Police Station in Lusaka.
The police say Prof Phiri will only be released if he meets all requirements for a police bond.
According to the joint wing on government investigation, otherwise known as the Taskforce, Prof Phiri is charged jointly with former minister lieutenant general Ronnie Shikapwasha for allegedly issuing instructions to ZNBC to air Chanda Chimba III's documentaries.
Shikapwasha was arrested last week together with Chimba, former Zambia Daily Mail deputy managing editor, Davis Mataka and media consultant Ngande Mwanjiti.
Prof Phiri, Chimba and Shikapwasha were to appear in court yesterday, 16 January.
Source: allAfrica