Police Detain Matero MP Over Chawama By-Election Claims

Police arrested and detained Matero MP Miles Sampa on Tuesday following complaints under the Cyber Crimes Act related to his statements during the Chawama parliamentary by-election.

Mr Sampa was summoned to Police Headquarters before being taken to Lusaka Central Police Station, where officers recorded a warn and caution statement. The arrest followed hours after President Hakainde Hichilema commented on electoral conduct during a Diamond TV interview.

Police records show the statement relates to alleged harassment under Section 22(2)(a) and (b) of the Cyber Crimes Act. The complaint was lodged by Ms Victoria Banda of the Christian Churches Organisation, who alleged Mr Sampa published a Facebook post accusing her of unlawfully holding another person's national registration card. She said he shared her photograph alongside an Electoral Commission monitor card, exposing her to public ridicule.

Authorities are also investigating statements Mr Sampa made on polling day, when he alleged the Electoral Commission had opened an illegal polling station along Ring Road. He later acknowledged the information was incorrect and apologised, confirming the polling station was legitimate.

Despite the apology, the Electoral Commission formally reported the matter to police for alleged transmission of deceptive communication under Section 19 of the Cyber Crimes Act.

Mr Sampa served as campaign manager for FDD candidate Bright Nundwe, who won the by-election. Patriotic Front president Given Lubinda accompanied him to Police Headquarters and questioned the decision to detain him after his public retraction.