ZNBC hails verdict against brand abusers
By Mwila Nsofu
ZNBC says it is happy with the conviction of three individuals that were operating a Facebook page under the name “ZNBC Top Stories.”
The individuals were using the ZNBC brand without authorization and were publishing seditious material, thereby misleading the public and damaging the reputation of the national broadcaster.
ZNBC Head Corporate Affairs YVETTE CHANDA says the conviction sends a clear message that such illegal activities will not be tolerated.
Mrs. CHANDA says ZNBC is concerned with the proliferation of fake social media accounts that falsely represent the organization.
She says the unauthorized pages not only spread misinformation but also undermine the public’s trust in credible news sources.
Mrs. CHANDA told ZNBC News that the National Broadcaster is committed to providing accurate and reliable information to the Zambian people.
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the Lusaka Magistrate Court fined three men, who created a Facebook page in the names of ZNBC TOP STORIES ONLINE NEWS, which they were using to publish seditious content.
ALICK SAKALA, aged 21, CHIMANGO LUHANGA, 25, and SAMUEL MWENE, 23, were convicted by Magistrate CONSTANCE KANSAKALA.
The three convicts were found GUILTY on four counts of using insulting language, sedition and identity related crimes.
SAKALA and LUHANGA were each fined 10,000 kwacha cash or serve SIX months imprisonment, while MWENE was fined K2, 400 or serve SIX months imprisonment.
In sentencing the 3, who were arrested in December 2024, Magistrate KANSAKALA said she had taken into consideration that they were youthful and had shown remorse for the actions.
She however said the trio needed to be punished in order to set an example to would-be offenders, especially the youths who abuse cyber space.
Particulars in count one were that SAKALA, between January 21 and February 29, 2024, circulated insults on the said page.
In count two, SAKALA, between January 4, 2019 and February 29, 2024, processed and used identification of another person to insult or annoy people on traffic data.
In count three, the trio, during the same period and acting together, created the ZNBC TOP STORIES ONLINE PAGE, which they used to publish seditious content.
In count four, LUHANGA processed and used identification of another person to insult or annoy people on traffic data.
