FORMER POST NEWSPAPERS SENIOR REPORTER REUBEN PHIRI DIES.
…as Media fraternity mourns his demise.
Former Defunct Post Newspapers Senior Reporter during the Fredrick Chiluba led MMD Administration Reuben Phiri has died.
Mr. Phiri who was among the twelve journalists from the same Media house that were charged with espionage on 1st November, 1999, died this morning around 07:00 hours at Levi Mwanawasa Hospital in Lusaka.
The espionage charge followed the publication of a report on the Zambian army’s weaponry by the newspaper fortnight before the arrest.
The report caused an uproar in Zambia’s parliament, prompting the deputy speaker to order the minister of defence to take “appropriate” action against the now defunct newspaper.
And his third born son Khuzwayo Phiri confirmed the death to Dynamic Analysis Zambia (DAZ) Media and News Agency via a telephone interview.
According to Khuzwayo, the cause of his father’s death is Low Blood Pressure.
The late Mr. Phiri is survived by a wife and four children.
He was only admitted at Levi Mwanawasa Hospital for 48 hours.
And FORMER State House press aide Dickson Jere has described Reuben Phiri as an amazing, down to Earth and fearless journalist who loved his job.
Meanwhile, Former Information Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga who worked with Reuben Phiri, described him as a brilliant journalist with a sharp analytical mind coupled with a very good sense of humour.
Mr. Malupenga said Reuben was determined to get that unique and juicy story.
Below is former PS Malupenga’s write up;
I am numb and lost for words. Reuben was a brilliant journalist with a sharp analytical mind. He was determined to get that unique and juicy story.
With his military background, it was always pleasant and sometimes mesmerizing to hear him give instructions in the newsroom.
Of course later on he left the newsroom to go into administration after his studies in that area.
Generally, he was a pleasant worker with a very good sense of humour.
This morning as I heard of his demise, my mind went back in time recollecting the good times we shared together as journalism students at Evelyn Hone College over two decades ago.
Later on, I joined in The Post newsroom where he was already settled by the time I joined in March 1997.
He welcomed me warmly and showed the corners of the The Post newsroom in terms of dos and donts.
I will miss him terribly just like I know all those who knew and worked with him will miss him as much.
One of the photo used in this article, the one he is with his wife was captured last month during her birthday.
