‘We haven’t been paid’ – Zambian TV news presenter demands salary live on air

Management of Zambian television station KBN TV released a strong-worded statement against a news anchor on its payroll after the journalist demanded the company pay him and his colleagues their outstanding salaries while live on-air.

According to Daily Mail, the bizarre incident occurred on Saturday while Kabinda Kalimina was delivering a live news bulletin. And during the live broadcast, Kalimina got the production team scrambling to save the show when he went “off script” to announce employees of the TV station had not been paid and demanded management do the needful.

The show had initially begun smoothly without any hiccups but the news anchor decided to vent his spleen immediately after he shared the top stories. “Away from the news, ladies and gentleman, we are human beings. We have to get paid,” Kalimina said facing the camera. “Unfortunately, on KBN we haven’t been paid… Sharon and everyone else haven’t been paid, including myself. We have to get paid,” he added.

The show was abruptly cut by the production and the introduction trailer was replayed. In the aftermath of the unexpected incident, the management of the TV station released a statement claiming Kalimina was under the influence of alcohol and was trying to use their platform to get famous. Management also said they were going to investigate how a supposedly drunk Kalimina was given the all-clear to go live on-air.

“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,” the statement said.

“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.”

The statement added: “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.”

Responding to the statement, Kalimina denied he was drunk and claimed he had even presented three other programs prior to the news bulletin, Daily Mail reported. “Yes I did that on live TV, just because most journalists are scared to speak out doesn’t mean journalists shouldn’t speak out,” Kalimina posted on Facebook alongside the controversial video.