A Zambian television news presenter stunned viewers when he demanded that the television network pay his and his colleagues’ salaries.
He made the demand during a live news broadcast.
The event happened on Saturday, June 19, 2021. Kabinda Kalimina, who works for KBN TV, said shortly after presenting the headlines of the day’s main news during a live broadcast:
“Away from the news, ladies and gentlemen, we are human beings. We have to get paid. Unfortunately, on KBN we haven’t been paid. People are getting instruments on KBN… Sharon and everyone else haven’t been paid, including myself . We have to get paid.”
He was, however, abruptly cut off.
In response, the TV station’s management said that Kalimina’s actions had dragged the station into disrepute. Moreover, they accused him of “drunken behaviour.”
According to a statement issued by Kennedy Mambwe, owner and CEO of KBN TV, the management is investigating how Kalimina ended up on the broadcast on Saturday night, adding that anybody who aided Kalimina in his “outrageous stunt” will face disciplinary actions.
The statement read;
“As KBN TV, we are appalled with the drunken behaviour exhibited through a video clip that has gone viral on social media and staged by one of our part-time presenters during what should have been the main news bulletin last night. As a young television station, we work with a very highly talented and professional team, with a noble character and we owe the success of unbroken broadcasting for the last two years to such gallant men and women. Members of the public may wish to know that KBN TV like any other institution, has very well-established grievance procedures for all members of staff through which they can channel their complaints“.
“Therefore, last night’s behaviour by Kabinda Kalimina is out of character and does not represent who we are as a station. We strongly condemn that despicable behaviour and urge members of the public to treat that ‘One-Night stunt of Fame’ with the contempt it deserves“.
“As management, we are carrying out investigations to determine how a drunken part-time presenter found himself on air unabated and disciplinary action will be taken against anyone who may have been party to the scheme.”
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