The Zambian government has issued a warning against the spread of fake news, cautioning individuals who engage in the dissemination of false information with serious legal consequences. Thabo Kawana, the Director Spokesperson in the Ministry of Information and Media, addressed the press this morning, emphasizing the gravity of creating and publicizing forged documents.
According to Mr. Kawana, those responsible for fabricating documents and presenting them as authentic are in violation of Section 344 of the penal code, Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia. He stated, “People who are making forged documents purporting them to be true when in fact they are not are committing an offense.”
The government’s warning comes in response to the circulation of fake documents on various platforms, including the Patriotic Front, GrandStone Television Zambia, and Fred Namakando M’membe’s Facebook pages. Mr. Kawana confirmed that these pages had published two fraudulent documents, one claiming to be issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, and the other purportedly originating from State House.
Dismissing these documents as fake, Mr. Kawana emphasized that neither the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security nor State House had issued any such documents. He called upon the authors of the documents to reveal their sources, describing them as a concoction by unknown individuals.
Furthermore, Mr. Kawana addressed a fake email allegedly sent to the UPND Secretary General and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence. The email claimed to express grievances with the Catholic Church and included names, including that of the President. The Media Director confirmed the email’s falsity, reiterating that there is no existing dispute between the government and the Catholic Church.
In fact, Mr. Kawana stressed the cordial and longstanding relationship between the government and the Catholic Church, based on consultation and partnership. He emphasized that the government engages with institutions, not individuals, and that recent discussions between government officials and the Chairperson of the Council of Catholic Bishops exemplify this approach.
“The church and government serve the same people who form congregations on Saturday and Sunday in our various churches,” Mr. Kawana stated. He clarified that communication between the government and the Catholic Church occurs through direct engagement and pastoral letters.
In conclusion, the Zambian government is cracking down on the spread of fake news, warning individuals behind the creation and dissemination of false documents of the serious legal repercussions they may face. The government reiterated its amicable relationship with the Catholic Church, emphasizing its commitment to consultation and partnership on matters of national importance.
This one is a missed call. The church elders themselves are coming out in open and criticising their freemason president yet he goes on to defend the indefensible. Kawana your ugliness is affecting your brain. Fuseke
Get hold of one and make an example of them…………
Obviously PF dirty news marchinary………..
The same way UPND profited from the faceless anonymous Zambia Watchd0g and its 70% fake news today they are issuing warning whilst in govt just be open and transparent instead of worrying about your own shadows.
The Director Spokesperson? In a ministry without any purpose. Where is the Chief Government Spokesperson who pretends to work in this ministry? There is no such post in government as “the Director Spokesperson” I have spoken to high ranking people in the Civil Service Commission and they say there is no such post. Its one of a number of concocted posts just meant to funnel our tax money to UPND party cadres. Zambia is a gold mine for thieves from political parties.
I do not understand. After calling the Catholic Priest Lucifer and the statement issued by the Archbishop of Lusaka, there is clearly no good relationship between the Catholic and UPND. Kawana we have been here before were one government officials calls some document fake another confirms that the documents are true. We still do not have a clear explanation were Faith Musonda’s money is.
Journalism like our courts favour the highest bidder
How they going to control LT ???
Remember father Umberto. He proved controversial when he ate with the poor and spoke for the poor. His voice was both in Zambia and Europe.
Due to the poor governance and failures affecting our country caused by the inc0mpetent upnd g0vt, I have decided to pr0test. From last week, I am taking part in a self imp0sed semen retenti0n protest for a m0nth. This means I will in no way ejacuIate for a month in protest. I urge those who love our country to j0in in and support this pr0test. To th0se who continue to supp0rt the upnd, I ask you to mention one c0mm0dity that has gone down in price since upnd took over. Failing which you close your dirty m0uth To those who supp0rt my pr0test I ask that you d0wnv0te this comment. If you don’t supp0rt my pr0test then please upv0te this comment. Kaizar
Zambia is in s.hit… for lack of a better term. The first republican president warned us…May his Soul rest in peace.
kkkkkkk just go and apologize you will lose nothing.God exalts the humble and brings down the pride.
Ok let me.stop pretending, what position is Director Spokesperson….what does this position mean ,he is a director in charge of spokespersons or what