COPPERBELT - The United Party for National Development (UPND) on the Copperbelt has dismissed as false and malicious social media claims alleging that former Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe and former Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo have been arrested in connection with the Mufulira copper scandal.
In a statement, UPND Copperbelt Deputy Provincial Information and Publicity Secretary Godfrey Kamangu said the allegations, circulated by a Facebook content creator, are intended to distract the two leaders from campaigning for President Hakainde Hichilema and other UPND candidates ahead of this year's General Election.
Mr. Kamangu said Mr. Matambo is currently in Lufwanyama conducting campaign activities with other UPND candidates, while Mr. Kabuswe is in Lusaka attending to official engagements.
He said both leaders have dismissed the reports as malicious propaganda.
Mr. Kamangu condemned what he described as the abuse of cyberspace through the spread of false information, warning that such misinformation has the potential to damage the reputations of public officials.
He called on the Zambia Police Cyber Security Unit to investigate the matter and take appropriate legal action against the individual responsible for originating the claims.
The allegations emerged following the recent arrest and charging of former Copperbelt Province Police Commissioner Mwala Yuyi and five others in connection with the alleged theft of 436 copper cathodes valued at US$448,596.
The suspects were charged after investigations into the copper consignment recovered in the Mokambo area of Mufulira District in March this year.