Police arrest student for defaming President Lungu

Esther Katongo

Police have arrested a 35-year-old student of DMI St Eugene University in Lusaka for defaming President Edgar Lungu on facebook.

Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo says Edward Makayi created a facebook account in the name Royson Edwards M which he used to author and post defamatory remarks between April and July, 2017 targeting at President Lungu, Home Affairs Minister, Stephen Kampyongo, Minister of Agriculture Dora Siliya and Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja.

Others are PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri and Presidential Press Aide, Amos Chanda.

Ms Katongo says 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.

She 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.

Ms Katongo adds that investigations in other cases where people are using social media to make defamatory and insulting remarks have continued.

She states that the Zambia Police working in conjunction with ZICTA have intensified investigations into crimes committed through social media and hope to bring more culprits to book.

The Police Spokesperson has since warned those fond of opening fake accounts on social media using fake particulars that such deception will not protect them from prosecution as law enforcement officers are able to trace their real identity.