Woman Apologies over fake news

NOEL IYOMBWA writes THE clamp down on fake news is gaining momentum with a recent public apology by a Chingola resident to Mulonga Water and Sanitation Company (MWSC) following a Facebook post that had claimed the water supply was polluted. On January 30 this year, Mubanga Chirwa, the wife to popular musician Frank Chirwa, also known as Afunika published an unverified post on her Facebook page alleging that the water supply had been polluted by unknown people. She was later arrested and charged with circulating false information contrary to the Laws of Zambia. The public apology by Chirwa was published in a newspaper and has been making rounds on various social media platforms. Mulonga Water acting public relations manager Bright Mtonga said that following the charges brought against Chirwa, the parties had agreed that the accused tender an apology in major media outlets as part of the conditions to have the case withdrawn. Mr Mtonga said that this should serve as a lesson to people who misuse social media by circulating false information and fake news. Mrs. Chirwa apologized to MWSC shareholders, the board and management and staff for inconvenience and damages her action have caused to the business and reputation. “I further apologize to the nation, residents of Chingola, Chiliabombwe and Mufulira for the anxiety my statement may have caused and pledge to avoid rumor mongering in future especially with issues to do with an important commodity as water,” the statement reads. “I have learnt my lesson and appeal to other people to avoid circulating false information as it damages reputations of organisations and is a crime under the laws of Zambia. “Let us all support our company, Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company and use established channels to report or verify information, “read the letter. Mrs. Chirwa misinformed the nation when the country was affected by unknown people who used to gas homes. The Sun