Zambian Opposition Politician Fred M’membe Arrested Over Controversial Social Media Post

Zambian police arrested opposition politician Fred M’membe on Thursday, just days after he posted a contentious article on social media alleging that the DR Congo leader paid millions of dollars to Zambia’s President to buy off criticism.

The 65-year-old M’membe, a journalist and lawyer, is the leader of the small Socialist Party and has frequently clashed with the government over his outspoken criticism. He was arrested for "seditious practices," according to a police statement.

M’membe’s article, which was posted on July 16, claimed that DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi told DRC Catholic Bishops about a USD 20 million payout to silence Zambia’s critics. Police spokesman Rae Hamoonga said the article aimed to bring hatred or contempt against the government, as established by law.

M’membe was detained in police cells and will appear in court to answer the charges. This arrest comes just a week after another journalist, Thomas Zgambo, who runs the online Zambian Whistleblower, was arrested over a similar article alleging that a government department was renting office space from a building owned by President Hakainde Hichilema. Zgambo was released on bail on Thursday.

The situation highlights the growing tensions between the Zambian government and its critics, with journalists and opposition politicians facing increasingly repressive measures.