Police in neighbouring Zambia have arrested a 48-year-old man who allegedly defamed President Edgar Lungu by calling him “a dog and a goat”.

The man who has been identified as Simon Malasha accused President Lungu of causing misery to the Zambian people through load shedding and hiking of mealie meal prices.

Copperbelt Police Commissioner Charity Katanga confirmed the news.

She said police arrested the suspect on October 8, 2019 around 16:00 hours.

“Police received the report from Stella Kunda aged 47 of Dominic road in Lulamba Township who reported the matter on behalf of the state. Particulars of the offence are that the suspect went to Stella Kunda’s stand at Lulamba market who was having a nap whilst laying on the floor and using PF chitenge material which had a portrait of President Edgar Lungu as a pillow,” Katanga said.

She said the accused, who supplies lipstick, had gone to collect debt from the complainant and after seeing the chitenge material, he grabbed it and started uttering insults whilst pointing at the portrait of the Head of State.

“The suspect uttered words like ‘President Lungu is a dog and a goat who he has caused misery to the Zambian people through load shedding and hiking of mealie meal prices’ in full view of other marketeers,” narrated Katanga.

She said a docket had been opened and the suspect was detained at Chiwempala police station and would appear in court soon.

Katanga further stated that the said chitenge material was kept at the police to help with investigations.