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afrol.com, 20 September - Following a fire in one of Zambia's major newspapers, "The Post", two weeks ago, police still have not come up with a suspect. Not a surprise to the editors of "The Post", as they suspect arson by saboteur "agents on the payroll of the state". On September 3, "The Post" newspaper suffered heavy losses when a large part of its newsroom was gutted and several computers were destroyed in a fire. Damaged estimated at US$ 500.000 was caused in the fire which destroyed 26 computers , the office's air conditioners, electrical installations and caused structural damage. On September 5, Joseph Chanda, a graphic designer with "The Post" was arrested "to help with investigations" into the fire. He was later charged with arson and remains in police custody. Publication of "The Post" has not been affected and each edition so far has appeared, along with its Internet edition. Reporters are continuing to file stories from the damaged building, using spare computers that had been stored elsewhere. In an editorial following the fire, the newspaper made it clear that it believed fire was deliberately started, adding that the "saboteur responsible was not acting alone". "He is a hired mercenary, working with an organised group of anti-Post journalists and other elements and agents on the payroll of the state," the editorial said. The Zambia Independent Journalists Association said in a statement the fire was a "big blow not only to the Post as the leading independent newspaper, but also the who media in the country". ZIMA called upon the Police command to investigate the matter thoroughly and bring whoever is responsible to book soon.
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