•President Edgar Chagwa Lungu addresses a rally in Mansa yesterday. Picture by SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE

By DAVID KANDUZA –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has dismissed allegations of media harassment following the Supreme Court’s ruling in favour of Zambia Ravenue Authority (ZRA) in a case in which the High Court granted a stay of the ZRA’s levy of distress on the The Post Newspapers.
President Lungu said he promised the people of Zambia during a rally in Mandevu Township in Lusaka  before he become president that he would collect unpaid taxes to develop the country.
He said he had a huge task of building hospitals, roads, schools, alleviate poverty and to pay salaries to civil servants.
President Lungu said it was naïve for some stakeholders to accuse him of harassing the media as Zambia was currently enjoying the highest standard of media freedom in the region.
“I’ve ignored the The Post Newspaper for a long time because I’ve bigger things to do. They are not at my level,” Mr Lungu said.
The President was speaking yesterday upon arrival at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport in Ndola from Luapula Province where he had been on a campaign trail ahead of the official opening of the 52nd Zambia International Trade Fair today.
“I think our journalists are the only people enjoying full rights. Have I harassed anyone of you journalists who are here today?” President Lungu asked.
The President said journalists from local and international media organisation attended meetings and discussions in Zambia on national issues, without any restrictions.
President Lungu, however, warned journalists to be careful in their writing as they were judged by the public because their role was to communicate and reflect on social norms.
The ZRA recently seized property halting operations at The Post Newspaper printing plant in Lusaka.
President Lungu was happy that after he met diplomats recently they understood his position that Zambia was a sovereign country capable of handling its affairs.
He said the Government had performed well even during an election year and had seen foreigners coming to Zambia to invest.
The President was happy that Copperbelt Province was not involved in political violence that had rocked some parts of the country.
The President said he was confident that the Patriotic Front would win with  70 per cent of votes.
And Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge said the province was solid as campaigns had been conducted peacefully.
Mr Musenge also praised the Zambia Police Service in the province for providing security as seen from minimal political violence.