Africa-Press – Zambia. POLICE have launched an inquiry into a case in which United Party for National Development (UPND) media director, Thabo Kawana reported Patriotic Front (PF) member Chishimba Kambwili for making tribal hate speech during campaigns.
In a statement to Mwebantu, police spokesperson Esther Katongo said police in recieved a report expressing Hatred, radicule or contempt for persons because of race, place of origin or colour.
“The report was made by Thabo Kawana aged 43 of Kabulonga in Lusaka at 11 30 hours that on 29th June, 2021, he came across a video footage on various social media platforms in which a man he identified as Dr Chishimba Kambwili was seen making trabal hate speech against another tribe suspecting the same to have occurred between January and 29th June, 2021 at unknown time within Zambia,” she said.
She police have since launched an inquiry in the matter. Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has suspended Mr Kambwili from conducting any electoral activities.
ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Patrick Nshindano said the commission will not allow hate speech by political parties in their campaign messages. He said hate speech is against the Electoral Code of Conduct and has asked the media houses not to entertain such utterances.
“The Commission noted with concern an increase in hate speech by political parties in their campaign messages. This is against the Electoral Code of Conduct and we called upon media houses not to entertain such utterances. As guided by the Electoral Code of Conduct, media houses were further asked to ensure that all adverts and political party programmes were recorded and stored for reference. The Commission also mentioned that it was investigating other matters reported in various districts and that the public would be made aware of the Commission’s findings or indeed decision,” Mr Nshindano said.
