Authorities in Zambia have arrested and
locked up a student in prison for allegedly
insulting President Edgar Lungu and some
of his government officials on Facebook.
35-year-old male student of DMI St Eugene
University in Lusaka identified as Edward
Makayi was arrested in connection with
Publication of Defamatory Statements on his
Facebook page created in the name Royson
Edwards M.
Confirming his arrest, Police spokesperson
Esther Mwata Katongo in a statement said
the suspect is a student in the School of
Engineering at the said University.
Mrs. Katongo said the defamatory remarks
which were authored and posted between
April, 2017 and July, 2017 were targeted at
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Home
Affairs Minister, Stephen Kampyongo,
Minister of Agriculture Dora Siliya and
Inspector General of Police Kakoma
Kanganja.
Others are Deputy Secretary General of the
Patriotic Front, Mrs. Mumbi Phiri and
Presidential Press Aid, Mr. Amos Chanda.
The Police Spokesperson says the suspect is
yet to be slapped with other charges for
defaming and use of insulting language
against Senior Government officials and
other persons.
She further urged members of the public to
desist from using social media to make bad
remarks against the government.
“We wish to inform Members of the Public
that investigations in other cases where
people are using social media to make
defamatory and insulting remarks have
continued. The Zambia Police working in
conjunction with ZICTA have intensified
investigations in crimes committed through
social media and we hope to bring more
culprits to book,” she said.
“In view of the above, members of the
Public are forewarned to desist from
posting insults and defamatory remarks
before the long arm of the Law catches up
with them,” Mrs Katongo said.
“We also wish to caution all those fond of
opening fake accounts on social media
using false particulars that such deception
will not protect them from prosecution as
Law enforcement officers are able to trace
your real identity.”
The suspect is scheduled to appear in Court
on Thursday, 27th July, 2017 for the offence
of Defamation of the President which is
contrary to Section 59 of Cap 87 of the Laws
of Zambia.
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