26/08/2026
take note
PUBLIC ADVISORY ON DISINFORMATION
Wednesday 26th August 2026.
The Zambia Cyber Security Agency ZCSA has noted a rise in the number of disinformation stories circulating online and would like to urge the public to learn how to spot disinformation when they see it online.
Disinformation by definition is the deliberate creation and spread of false, misleading or manipulated information, which is deliberately intended to deceive people, influence public opinion and create confusion in order to achieveS a particular social or political objective.
During an election period disinformation can pose a significant cyber security and national security threat. it usually spreads rapidly through social media , messaging platforms, websites and other digital channels making it difficult for citizens to distinguish between falsehood and truth.
Disinformation also poses serious consequences for the nation as it works to create fear, panic and tension and can damage the nations stability and reputation.
A case in point is a story that was widely circulating online yesterday Tuesday 25th August claiming that The Vice President of Tanzania Mr. Emmanuel Nchimbi has resigned from his position because he did not agree with The President of Tanzania Madam Samia Suluhu Hassan ‘s decision to send troops to Zambia to interfere in Zambia’s elections . This report contrasts with that of The BBC a credible, trusted and reliable source of information who report that Mr. Nchimbi is leaving office after falling out with President Hassan over some seemingly controversial remarks he made in recent weeks urging Tanzanians to fight for a new constitution.
The Zambia Cyber Security Agency wishes to use this case as an example of how disinformation can alarm citizens and potentially cause a state of uproar , excite emotions and create a state of national instability which could be avoided if citizens learn to recognize disinformation once it is presented before them. In this case of disinformation, we see propaganda at play with the aim of alarming the public.
The agency urges citizens to learn to check that sources of information they receive are credible and trusted sources that have been proven over time as legitimate. Citizens should also check that information is verified, this means information should not only emerge from one source but from multiple credible sources.
It is vital that citizens learn to fact check and vet their sources of information at all times as not doing so risks plunging the nation into unnecessarily alarm, panic and instability that can have far reaching consequences on the nation’s economy and peace.
Citizens should also be aware that disinformation is punishable under Zambian Cyber Laws , section 19 sub section a of The Zambia Cyber Crimes Act No.4 states that “a person shall not intentionally and without lawful authority use a computer or computer system to relay , re-transmit, deceive or mislead users of a computer or computer system as to the origin of such communication. The penalty for such an offence upon conviction is k 280 000 (seven hundred thousand penalty units) and not less than two years imprisonment but not exceeding seven years imprisonment.”
Disinformation also breaches article 20 of the Cyber Crimes Act No.4 of 2025 subsection 1 and 2 which state that “a person shall not use a computer or computer system for an activity which constitutes an offense under any written law and a person who contravenes sub section 1 commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to the penalty specified for that offence in the applicable written law”.
Citizens should avoid finding themselves on the wrong side of the law by avoiding the tendency to issue disinformation or spread it.
Issued by The Zambia Cyber Security Agency.
