Mambwe Zimba, Secretary General of Zambia’s National Democratic Congress (NDC), was arrested on Tuesday over a digitally altered image circulating on Facebook depicting President Hakainde Hichilema lying in a casket while Vice President Mutale Nalumango appeared to pay tributes.
The image, posted on a Lusaka-based Facebook page titled “Zambia for All 2026,” falsely suggested the death of the sitting president. Authorities confirmed there is no evidence that President Hichilema has passed away or that his health has deteriorated.
According to local media, preliminary investigations revealed that Zimba, 44, was one of the administrators of the Facebook page. He remains in police custody in Lusaka as officials continue to investigate the origin and spread of the altered image. The inquiry reportedly began on Sunday when the police first received a report regarding the fake post.
The incident has drawn attention to the growing problem of misinformation on social media in Zambia, especially during politically sensitive periods. Analysts warn that such disinformation campaigns could undermine public trust in government and heighten tensions between political parties ahead of the 2026 elections.
Political observers note that arrests over social media posts have raised concerns about freedom of expression in Zambia. Critics argue that while the dissemination of fake news can be harmful, the government must balance enforcement with the protection of citizens’ rights to online speech.
The NDC has not yet released an official statement regarding Zimba’s arrest, but party supporters have expressed outrage online, calling for transparency in the investigation and warning against what they describe as “political intimidation.”
The Zambian police have stated that the investigation aims to determine whether the image violates laws against publishing false information or inciting public panic. Officials have appealed to the public to refrain from sharing unverified content on social media platforms.
As the investigation continues, attention is now on whether the case could set a precedent for how Zambia deals with online misinformation and politically sensitive digital content in the future.
