Engineering Student Thrown In Prison For 'insulting Zambian President On Facebook'
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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