Zambian Politician Arrested for Sharing Digitally Altered Image of President Hichilema

Zambian NDC Secretary General Mambwe Zimba was arrested in Lusaka over a digitally altered Facebook post showing President Hakainde Hichilema in a casket, with Vice President Mutale Nalumango appearing to pay tribute. Authorities said the post was misleading and intended to alarm the public. Zimba is being held at Lusaka Central Police Station as investigations continue, and further arrests are possible.

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Secretary General Mambwe Zimba has reportedly been arrested in Lusaka over a digitally altered Facebook post that depicted President Hakainde Hichilema lying in a casket, local media reports indicate. The controversial post also appeared to show Vice President Mutale Nalumango paying tribute, drawing widespread attention and prompting an official investigation by Zambian authorities. According to Lusaka Times, the post was circulated on a Facebook page titled “Zambia for all 2026,” which has been linked to activities intended to mislead the public.
Zambia’s Cyber Security Agency reportedly launched an inquiry on Sunday after receiving a formal complaint regarding the Facebook page and its content. The alleged cyber offence is believed to have been committed in Lusaka at an unspecified time. Investigators traced the origin of the post to Libala South Water Works, where 44-year-old Zimba was subsequently apprehended. Law enforcement sources indicated that Zimba was one of the administrators of the page under investigation, suggesting direct involvement in the dissemination of the digitally altered image.
During the arrest, police reportedly confiscated a Samsung A24 mobile phone believed to have been used in connection with the post. Preliminary findings by cybercrime investigators suggest that the image was not only misleading but also intended to create unnecessary alarm and misinform the public. Authorities emphasized that the circulation of such content could have serious implications for national security and public confidence in state institutions.
Zimba is currently being held at Lusaka Central Police Station as investigations continue. Officials noted that the probe remains active, and further arrests are possible as cyber experts conduct a detailed analysis of the digital activity linked to the Facebook page. The authorities have also highlighted the need for social media users to exercise caution and responsibility in sharing content, particularly that which could potentially incite panic or undermine public trust.
This case comes amid growing concerns in Zambia over the spread of misinformation and the misuse of social media platforms for political purposes. Analysts note that incidents like this highlight the challenges governments face in regulating digital content while balancing freedom of expression, especially in politically sensitive periods leading up to elections. The outcome of the investigation into Zimba’s alleged role could set a precedent for how digital misinformation is handled in Zambia moving forward.