Stop freedom of ‘stupidity’ - Chitimukulu

DEMOCRACY has brought freedom of stupidity which is now frequently used to insult, defame and cause hatred against others, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba People in Northern Province has observed.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu has bemoaned the abuse of freedom of expression and freedom of speech in Zambia. The Mwine Lubemba was speaking on a radio programme in Kasama at the weekend.

He said it was sad that the people were insulting and defaming others in the name of freedom of expression and speech.

He wondered what freedom youths in Zambia wanted when they were expressing themselves using social media and others platforms to an extent of insulting elders and those in leadership positions.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu expressed sadness that many comments posted on some websites were nothing but pure defamatory in nature. He cited UPND Deputy Secretary General, Patrick Mucheleka, and Opposition Alliance spokesman, James Lukuku, as having been using the media regularly to shower insults on him.

The senior traditional leader said abuse of freedom of speech and that of expression encouraged what he termed as freedom of stupidity. “In fact, there is freedom of stupidity in Zambia. Democracy has brought freedom of stupidity,” Paramount Chief Chitimukulu said.

He also said the whole world was fighting corruption and Zambia was no exception to fighting the vice. Paramount Chief Chitimukulu urged members of the public not to abuse their rights and freedoms to insult, defame and cause hatred against others.