By Ollus Ndomu
State police in the capital Lusaka arrested and detained opposition Patriots for Economic Progress -PeP- leader Sean Tembo for allegedly defaming President Hakainde Hichilema.
Tembo, a harsh keyboard critic of President Hichilema, was bundled into detention on Thursday following his now gone viral “Bally’s Monthly Menstruation”, which has continued to gather mixed reactions across Zambian social media spaces.
Early this week, the PeP leader in reference to Zambia’s monthly review of fuel prices, wrote on Facebook:
“Bally’s monthly menstruation is here again. Fuel prices to be reviewed tomorrow.”
Tembo’s comments drew wide condemnation from a cross-section of Zambians as many felt President Hichilema, widely known as “Bally” on social media, was being subjected to unpalatable language with impunity.
According to Friday local media reports, the opposition leader had gone on hunger strike while others feel his arrest was excessive.
Speaking through a social media posting, musician and civil rights activist Chama Fumbe aka Pilato criticized the government:
“While the UPND is in power today and enjoying political power, they do not have the privilege to decide how people should criticize them. Again I say, Sean Tembo is not scared of being arrested, you are playing his game when you arrest him.”
“I do not agree with the criticism by Mr Sean Tembo, it’s very offensive and disappointing but we should never confuse the constitution with our emotions. People should be arrested for breaking the law not for upsetting us,” he added.
Women rights groups and celebrities have taken a sweep on Mr. Tembo, calling on authorities to harshly punish anyone found using sexist language that demean women in general.
