POLICE DISMISS CLAIMS THAT 1,180 PEOPLE ARE BEING HELD ON POLITICALLY MOTIVATED CHARGES
By ZR Reporter
The Zambia Police Service has dismissed as false and misleading claims circulating on social media that 1,180 people are currently being held in police cells in Lusaka on politically motivated charges.
In a statement issued on September 14, 2026, Police said it had neither issued nor confirmed the figures being circulated online.
The Service warned that the publication and spread of unverified information presented as official police information had the potential to mislead the public and undermine confidence in the institution.
“The information circulating on social media is therefore false, misleading and does not represent official information,” Police said.
The Zambia Police Service has since warned individuals and social media users against creating, publishing or circulating false information while presenting it as coming from the institution.
Members of the public have further been urged to verify information concerning arrests, police custody and criminal investigations with the Zambia Police Service before sharing it on social media.
Police said appropriate action would be taken against individuals found deliberately misrepresenting its operations or circulating false information intended to damage the institution’s reputation and undermine public confidence.
The Service has maintained that it remains committed to providing accurate and timely information through its official communication channels
But as misinformation continues to spread rapidly through social media, another important question remains: how can the public distinguish genuine official information from claims designed to influence public opinion before the damage is already done?
-Zambia Reports | September 14, 2026