POLICE HAVE WARNED POLITICIANS WHO ARE USING VIOLENT PICTURES IN THEIR MEDIA CAMPAIGNS
This is in reference to a picture on social media on a tweeter handle in the names of Hakainde Hichilema.
The post is circulating on various social media platforms in which a picture depicting a male person with raised hands and fire in the background has been posted insinuating that the incident occurred in Mpika District in Zambia.
The UPND has dismissed the tweet as fake because it does not belong to it’s leader Hakainde Hichilema.
Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo said the police have instituted investigations on who posted.
“As Zambia Police, we have observed with great concern, increased levels of propaganda by some politicians who have adopted a campaign strategy of posting pictures of violent incidences which occurred in other countries purporting that they happened in Zambia.One such propaganda is a post on a tweeter account in the names of Hakainde Hichilema circulating on various social media platforms in which a picture depicting a male person with raised hands and fire in the background has been posted insinuating that the incident occurred in Mpika District in Zambia,” said Katongo.
“We have never recorded such an occurrence in Mpika District here in Zambia. Members of the public are therefore urged to disregard the post and treat it with the contempt that it deserves. We are warning politicians to desist from engaging themselves in acts that have potential to plunge the country in chaos in the name of politics.”
She reiterated the need for politicians to stick to issue based campaigns.
“We are reiterating our usual call for politicians to stick to issue based campaigns as opposed to propaganda or politics of deception that may trigger public disorder especially this time when we are heading towards the poll day,” said Katongo.
“Every individual should always strive to play a role in promoting peace as we only have one country as our heritage which is Zambia. An inquiry in the matter has been opened “Mrs Katongo said.