Police in Lusaka have arrested and charged Fred M’membe, President of the Socialist Party, following remarks he made during an appearance on Kwithu FM and in subsequent comments to the media concerning the delayed burial of former President Edgar Lungu.
Dr M’membe is currently detained at Chilenje Police Station under the custody of the Zambia Police Service.
While speaking on Kwithu FM, Dr M’membe alleged that President Hakainde Hichilema had “imprisoned the body” of Mr Lungu, claiming the Head of State had prevented the former president’s family from proceeding with burial arrangements nine months after his death.
In separate remarks to journalists, the Socialist Party leader questioned the continued delay in laying Mr Lungu to rest and directly linked the protracted burial process to the current administration. During that interaction, he further posed a rhetorical question asking whether President Hichilema intended to “eat the body” of the late former Head of State.
Following those statements, police moved to detain Dr M’membe. He has been formally charged with Prohibition of Harassment and Humiliation contrary to Section 22(2)(a)(b) of the Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025.
By press time, authorities had not provided additional details regarding the factual basis of the charge or confirmed when he is expected to appear before court.
Free speech is slowly being eroded
Membe is the father of democracy in Zambia. It was he that defeated Kaunda with his Weekly Post; it was he that crushed Chiluba with his Post; and it was he that ensured the PF victory. He has been arrested a dozen times. In short, he will win this case too.
Imwe naimwe@Chi, watch Mmembe’s interview first before you blame. A country like Zambia has laws,a law against Defamation of Character. Where you live,No, such a law so free speak as you like. fred will be asked, when and where did he hear HH wanting EA Lungu’s body. Failure ni jail
That only happens in a Police state. They arrest you for anything you say that the police think is against the president. Who is the complainant? What charge is this?
Ba Mash mulichikopo. Bushe teimwe ba group 3? Do you know free means? Free means free. What did Mmembe say that warrants an arrest? The guy just asked a question. Bushe mulefwaya ukulya ECL? How is a question an issue? Just answer No. It ends there. There was no libel or insult or slander on that conversation. Why an arrest?
@Mash In your dreams. Not in a normal court
Slowly? It’s much faster than those chameleons the new dawn is always scared of
Oh dear even though this chap is disliked by most htis seems a bit harsh
and pointless
It could be said the truth hurts
I don’t like the guy but armed only with their poor English, our police can’t go examining M’membe’s every word for a prosecution. M’membe was using figurative language when he said imprisoned the body
Any language has such metaphors. Only a dumb accuser would fail to interpret such speech. There’s no law against being a Wole Soyinka in Zambia. Or are we all being commanded to speak in military parade lingo or else…?
That’s why opposition says democratic space is shrinking. Even merely politicking can lead to arrest.
Sad really. Arresting someone because akamba ngako? Do a real job for the taxpayers money please. And that is also not arresting people for weed to please Ronald Reagan
That was not about free speech but misinformation.
What misinformation is in a rhetorical question: do you want to eat Ecl? Answer and it ends there. Under what law are you charged for misinformation? A new Zambian law from New Dawn?
Then you must arrest him for his views on kaloba in his article about Zambia s debt trap because for you that is misinformation. When did police get involved in such cases?
True dat .
Every man’s wrong action got consequences. What’s been said can never be undone. Misinforming the public that can cause mistrust and havoc is danger to societ.
Stop pretending you are wise when what you are speaking is Trumplish
Fred got what he asked for. I gave him a good advice to go back to the land since he will never be president.
Asking for what?
I was listening to Mourinho saying such balderdash about Vini Jr celebrating his goal Roger Milla style and falling prey to Mourinho’s racist player. How parochial can tyrannical perverts become in defence of their irrationality!
PF left breakfast mealie meal at K130 and Roller meal at K90
And the Kwacha was how much to the dollar?
Obviously hit a nerve
And has to be harassed for it?
How can a normal human being ask such a stupid question especially in case involving an elected leader at presidential level. That was fooling the head of state because the question was putting the president to shame and cause mistrust among the electorate. Let the court stop Membe from fooling the president.
“[M’membe asked] … whether President Hichilema intended to ‘eat the body’ of the late former Head of State.” An unusual comment by a politician, who is probably not even a member of the late ECL’s nuclear family!
I would not vote for Fred. But UPND is too aggressive with arrests. This does not warrant arrest
Arrest for what? How Can our incompetent police determine what is misinformation? Are they employed to judge?
The Penal code has reared its draconic force against media freedom again – relief will be dearly felt when it is aligned with the freedom of information act – Amen.
That undermine statutory language and erode promises to deliver. Real accountability means clear, lawful language and actions, not grandstanding from politicians.
I feel for your pain sympathizers, your man should’ve shut his mouth then.
Shut his mouth?
In North Korea yes.
Its not about sympathizers it’s about moral and ethical conduct and the countries reputation
like it or not it’s now in the history books and not in a good light
Yet we still chant a christian nation ???
Sad but the realities of being in opposition…notice how all aspiring presidents suddenly go to a church, attend traditional ceremonies and speak on all topics…but I digress FM26 did not need to be arrested sometimes learn to roll with the punches….may he see freedom soon so the campaigns can continue on level playing field ….the world watches
Our politics in Zambia are shaped by copper era migrations people left villages for CopperBelt seeking a better life. Yet the wealth hasn’t reached all, and science reminds us copper wires power our industry and technology. It’s time to translate resource wealth into inclusive development, so every Zambian benefits, not just a few.