The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) offices in Lusaka have been closed to pave way for investigations into the recent gruesome murder of Director General Guntila Muleya.
During a press briefing this morning, Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana announced that IBA staff are expected to continue reporting for work and wait in the Theatre Hall at the Mass Media Complex.
“I’m sure you may have noticed that we are unable to operate from our usual offices because the offices have been cordoned by the authorities, in this case, the police and other investigative agencies, so that they are able to conduct the probe over the unfortunate incident that befell all of us last week,” Kawana said.
“In this period, we are all expected to allow the police and other investigative wings to be able to do their work unimpeded.”
Kawana has since advised that IBA members of staff fully comply and assist the law enforcement agencies during the period of investigations.
He also requested the staff to be readily available to present themselves before the investigative wings when needed and ensure that their mobile phones remain active for contact during the ongoing investigations.
Kawana further appealed to the public to be patient and avoid rumor-mongering as the police, as well as other investigative agencies, continue to investigate the case.
“I want to take this opportunity to urge members of the public to please desist from peddling falsehoods, insinuations, and outright malice. The nation is gripped by fear, shock, and desperation over what transpired but authorities are working round the clock, and they are getting to the bottom of this matter, and investigations have progressed very well so far,” he said.
Muleya was shot dead in Lusaka’s Njolwe area, with the police having so far arrested five suspects, including three police officers and IBA accountant Francis Chipyoka, in connection with the case.
