GOVERNMENT DEMANDS EXTRADITION
….Kawana urges the EU to help apprehend Zambian political fugitives
By DAVID KANDUZA
INFORMATION and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana has appealed directly to European Union observers currently in the country for this year’s general elections to help Zambia extradite political fugitives currently taking refuge in Europe.
Speaking today, July 23, 2026, at the official opening of a one-day Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) capacity-building workshop for journalists at the Protea Hotel in Ndola, Mr Kawana accused the runaways of trying to destabilise the nation.
Mr Kawana urged the international delegates to convey a clear message to their home governments to help bring the fugitives to justice.
He lamented that the fugitives were actively working to set the country on fire from abroad.
The permanent secretary demanded for foreign nations to hand over these scrupulous individuals to face the wrath of Zambian law.
Mr Kawana told the observers that the peaceful atmosphere of the current election cycle was due to the strong leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema.
During his address, Mr Kawana urged journalists drawn from various media houses across the Copperbelt, strictly adhere to professional ethics.
“Reporters must never rush to publish unclassified information simply to secure a scoop,” he said.
Mr Kawana reminded Journalists that they did not enjoy constitutional immunity and could face prosecution if they broke the law.
He said deliberate misquoting and the spread of misinformation severely undermined public confidence.
Sifting through the electoral landscape, IBA board member Benson Banda thanked the Government for fostering an environment where the media could effectively serve the electorate.
Bishop Banda pledged that the IBA would continuously reinforce core journalistic principles to maintain national stability.