Lungu to engage ZICTA on social media abuse

By AARON CHIYANZO in MAFINGA I WILL engage ZICTA over the continued abuse of social media to ensure that people who insult others are brought to book, President Edgar Lungu has said. President Lungu observed that the abuse of social media had become rampant in Zambia. He said countries like America had proven that unscrupulous individuals who abuse social media could be blocked from accessing it. He said this during a meeting with the clergy in Mafinga yesterday. “The United States of America has blocked social media abusers,” he said President Lungu said Zambians should pick a leaf from what happened in USA, saying those who abuse social media could be barred from accessing it. He also challenge ICT experts in Zambia to explore ways in which social media abusers could be blocked from accessing it. “Just like how the US President was blocked when he incited violence,” he said. And representing the clergy Rev Leonard Kaluba called on government to regulate social media as it was affecting people’s morals in the district. Rev. Kaluba said social media was eroding morals in young people. Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has said there was need for the people to be patient as Government rolls out development to all corners of the country because it cannot be done at once. President Lungu said he had received reports that some chiefs in Chama were planning not to vote for PF this year just because some projects in the district had delayed. He however expressed disappointment with the reports, saying that Chama had witnessed unprecedented development since the PF was ushered into government. President Lungu said it was demoralizing for some Chiefs to ignore all the massive development that Chama had received all because of a few delayed projects. He reminded the traditional leaders that Chama had been a dumping place through transfers for civil servants whom the state wanted to punish because there was no development in the area. President Lungu also met headmen from the district and also advised them to be patient because development comes slowly. He also met the clergy whom he assured that the cooperative which they formed would be supported.