Online Post Put My Life at Risk

Witness says Facebook publication falsely linked him to Police Headquarters and exposed his private phone number to an online audience of about 1,000 people.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24 – 27-07-2026 -- An online content analyst has told the Lusaka Magistrates' Court that a Facebook post allegedly authored by blogger Mulenga Mushibwe Matanda falsely portrayed him as a criminal working for State House and the Zambia Police Service, leaving him fearful after his personal mobile phone number was published online.

Testifying before the court, Jaja Coulibaly Komoka said part of his duties involves analysing issues circulating on online platforms.

Komoka told the court that on November 16, 2025, he came across a Facebook post on the page Mulenga Mushibwe Matanda titled "Response with Intimidation, Anger and Emotional Reaction is Not a Solution."

He said the post criticised the government and President Hakainde Hichilema before ending with a list of people allegedly working against the government who, according to the author, deserved punishment.

The witness said his name appeared as the third person on the list, identifying him as "Komoka from Police Headquarters," while also publishing his personal mobile phone number.

"I became concerned because I had never shared my phone number with the author of the article," Komoka told the court.

He testified that after analysing the publication, he concluded that it labelled him a criminal associated with both State House and Police Headquarters.

Komoka said the publication frightened him because he is neither a criminal nor a police officer, adding that the allegations had the potential to expose him to danger.

He further told the court that although he regularly posts content online, he had never had any contact with the accused prior to the publication.

According to the witness, the Facebook platform on which the post appeared had about 1,500 members, meaning his private phone number had been exposed to a wide audience without his consent.

Komoka said he reported the matter to the Zambia Police Cyber Crime Unit on November 19, 2025, where a formal report was recorded by the receiving officer using police equipment.

He also positively identified Mulenga Mushibwe Matanda as the person named in the police docket.

During cross-examination, Kamkoka denied ever sharing his phone number with the accused or contacting him on October 1, 2024, to arrange a meeting with Whitney Mulobela.

He maintained that he did not even possess the accused's phone number and could not recall anyone contacting him regarding such a meeting.

The witness further testified that the first time he saw the accused was after police officers informed him that an arrest had been made.

He said the accused was seated on a chair and being shaved when they first met.

The matter continues before the Lusaka Magistrates' Court on 19th July.