Claim
The Patriotic Front – PF Facebook page post on February 16, 2024, alleged that police officers from the Force Headquarters had surrounded the residence of Bishop Telesphore Mpundu in Lusaka. The post claimed that there was ” heavy police’ presence at the Catholic Bishop’s home. It further claimed that Bishop Mpundu had recently issued a public statement that President Hakainde Hichilema was a “one-team President” and that “we are under dictatorship.” The post raised public concerns and questions over the purported police action.
Rating Justification
iVerify Zambia has determined as false the claim by the Patriotic Front – PF Facebook page that police officers from the Zambia Police Service Headquarters had surrounded the residence of the Catholic Bishop Telesphore Mpundu following a purported statement he had issued that President Hakainde Hichilema was a one-team President and that the country was under a dictatorship. A phone call to the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Danny Mwale by iVerify Zambia had earlier revealed that the Zambia Police Service was aware of the Post and had instituted investigations. Later in the day, the Zambia Police Service, through its Public Relations Office, released a press statement, dispelling assertions by the said Facebook page that Zambia Police Officers had surrounded the residence of the former Lusaka Archbishop, Telesphore George Mpundu. Mr. Mwale said the story was untrue and should be treated with the contempt it deserves. He added that the police were conducting further investigations to establish the person or persons behind the false story so that they are held accountable for their actions.
