LUSAKA, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Security agencies in Zambia on Friday announced the arrests of three people for spreading false reports about President Hakainde Hichilema's health status on social media.

In a joint statement, the Zambian police and the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), the country's communication and technology regulator, said the arrests came after investigations were conducted following alleged inflammatory statements regarding the alleged health status of the Zambian president, which were recently widely circulated on social media.

According to the joint statement, the suspects have been charged with harassment utilizing means of electronic communication and were expected to appear in court soon.

"The Zambia Police Service and ZICTA strongly warn members of the public against the misuse of social media platforms to spread falsehoods, incite violence, or disseminate inflammatory content that threatens national unity and security," read the statement.

Reports on the alleged health status of the Zambian president surfaced on various social media platforms last Friday after he failed to appear at a public event. Hichilema appeared in public Monday when he left the country for Tanzania to attend the Africa Energy Summit. Enditem

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