A Lusaka based freelance journalist Jaja Komoko was arrested by Police on 25 August 2023 for offence of libel.
According to media reports, on August 26, 2023 Police at Central Police announced that they had arrested and charged Jaja Komoko a freelance journalist for the offence of Libel contrary to Section 191 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
The offence is alleged to have occurred between July 2022 and July 2023.
Brief facts of the matter are that police on August 25, 2023 at 17:30 hours received a report from Mr. Liswaniso Gilbert aged 43, the UPND National Youth Chairperson. The Complainant reported that between July 2022 and July 2023, a known person to him; Mr. Jaja Komoko a journalist by profession had published malicious articles about him on a Social media platform called ‘SCOOP’.
He further stated that the accused had been attempting to extort money from suspecting members of public.
The suspect was apprehended and detained for the alleged offence.
He was released on August 26, 2023 on police bond after having been formally charged.
Mr. Rae Hamoonga, the Police Spokesperson said Mr. Komoko would appear in court soon.