Metro

Cyber Security Act restores sanity in cyberspace, but rural understanding lags, says FODEP

Published

7 months ago

May 23, 2024

The Cyber Security Act has played a crucial role in restoring sanity and fostering accountability among cyberspace users, according to the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) in Northern Province.

FODEP Provincial Coordinator, Michael Bwalya, stated that some individuals had been exploiting cyberspace to spread alarm and defame public figures, including the Head of State.

Bwalya, speaking to Zambia Monitor in Kasama, highlighted instances where users had fallen victim to blackmail by scammers on cyberspace, suggesting the need for further tightening of the law to address such incidents.

“The Cyber Security Act is beneficial because it aims to hold individuals accountable for the messages they disseminate. At times, these messages can incite unrest or opposition against the government,” he said.

However, Bwalya noted that most people did not seek violence against the government but rather wished to express their grievances and advocate for developmental change.

He pointed out a lack of understanding of the Cyber Security Act, especially in rural areas, where many individuals primarily view cyberspace as a means for leaders to engage with them.

“Cyber Security remains a mystery to many rural residents. Their main concern is that their leaders remain accessible to them,” Bwalya remarked.

He cited topics such as social cash transfers, Constituency Development Fund and agricultural inputs as the primary focus of discussion among rural dwellers, with less emphasis on cyberspace engagement.

While acknowledging the positive impact of the law in restoring order to cyberspace, Bwalya cautioned against its misuse to suppress media freedom, particularly journalists reporting on political matters.

“Although citizens and the media enjoy relative freedom, journalists are sometimes unfairly labeled as political actors for their coverage of certain political parties,” he stated.

Bwalya identified political intimidation as a significant obstacle to media freedom in the country and called for efforts to ensure journalists can exercise their human rights without fear.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Click to comment

Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

17 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

22 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.