Cage fake news vendors

LAW enforcement agencies in collaboration with ZICTA should immediately arrest disgruntled politicians abusing social media to disseminate false news, Zambia Republican Party president Wright Musoma has charged.

Mr Musoma said the people behind the publication fake news items were well-known unscrupulous individuals being used by disgruntled politicians with a selfish agenda.

He said the police working with ZICTA should put a stop to people bent on misleading Zambians as such actionscould lead to panic.

Commenting on a fake press statement yesterday, purportedly issued by President Edgar Lungu’s Special Assistant for press and public relations Amos Chanda alleging that Copperbelt minister Bowman Lusambo was appointed as Sports minister, Mr Musoma said such conduct was criminal.

The opposition leader said ZICTA as well as the police had the capacity to track such criminal elements and bring them to book.

Mr Musoma said it was unfortunate that a good thing such as internet as well as social media which was supposed to help develop and build the nation was being used for selfish motives.

And State House has refuted the statement alleging that President Lungu had made reshuffles to his Cabinet.

According to a statement issued by State House press and public relations chief analyst Cecelia Mulenga, Mr Chanda has urged the general citizenry to ignore the report as it was fake.

He sad when the President makes any reshuffles or appointments an official statement on State House headed paper would be issued by him.