After resisting arrest, Police finally pick up party leader, Tembo, for alleged hate speech

Patriots for Economic Progress leader, Sean Tembo, has been arrested and charged with the offence of hate speech, Police officials say.

Tembo, aged 43, of Ngwerere area in Lusaka committed an offence which was contrary to section 65 of the Cyber-security and Cyber-crimes Act number two of 2021 of the Laws of Zambia, according to Deputy Police Public Relations Officer Danny Mwale.

Mwale said on October 17, 2023 at 20:31 hours, the suspect posted a hate speech on facebook handle under the name of Sean E. Tembo.

He said Tembo was served with a call out to report himself to Police Headquarters on October 23, 2023 but did not show up.

“Police further made efforts to contact his lawyer but the calls went unanswered despite making commitments that they would avail their client to Police,” Mwale said.

He said officers on Wednesday, around 09:00 hours went to his house where he was requested to come out but instead opted to lock himself inside forcing the officers to have no option but to gain entrance into his house.

Mwale said Police managed to pick the suspect and that he was currently detained in custody, yet to be formally charged.

In another development, police in Lusaka have arrested Stardy Mwale, aged 53, of Chinfunshi area in Chililabombwe in connection with the offence of Seditious Practices contrary to section 57 as read with section 60 of the Penal Code.

Mwale said between October 12, 2023 and October 17, 2023, Mwale posted an audio on various social media platforms where he was heard instructing millers in the country to stop the production of mealie meal for 30 days.

He said the audio contained other sentiments meant to incite the millers to revolt against the government.

“The suspect who is former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence is detained in custody waiting to be formally charged,” Mwale.

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