POLICE in Zanzibar are investigating the origin of pictures, and messages that appeared on social media, inciting violence and also insulting people including President Dr Ali Mohamed Shein and other top government leaders.
“We have one man in custody waiting for
trial, as other 34 people have been listed for misuse of social media
and networking. They used video clips, typed words, and pictures.
The tread threatens the peace and
stability of the country,” Mr Salum Msangi- Deputy Director of Criminal
Investigation (DDCI), said at a press conference.
According to Mr Msangi Zanzibar has seen
increase of abusive language and pictures as the Islands gets closer to
the fresh elections scheduled for March 20, this year.
“The police continue to urge people to
use social media responsibly and to be careful not to plunge the country
into unrest,” he said.
He said Police has decided to track the
Facebook, messaging, Blogs, WhatsAp, and other accounts of users to weed
out possible irresponsible users who are increasingly using social
media to lure young people to violence. Mr Msangi warned “It is
unfortunate that some people think that freedom of expression includes
using abusive language against leaders.
This is an offence, and administrators of the social media at local level must understand that they risk prosecution.
” The DDCI also warned media about the
widely reported gang (popular name) ‘Mazombi’, which is said to be
terrorizing people on the Islands, “It is high time the media reports
about ‘Mazombi’ to help us track members of the gang people instead of
exaggeration.
We also urge victims to report to the police instead of going straight to the party or media.”
Mr Msangi said police remains on full
alert in ensuring people on the islands are peaceful during and after
the upcoming elections, urging journalists’ impartiality while covering
stories.
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