Police arrest, charge PF lawmaker, Sampa, over alleged false polling station claim

Police in Lusaka have confirmed the arrest and formal charging of Matero Patriotic Front Member of Parliament, Miles Sampa, 55, of Leopards Hill, Nyumba Yanga, for the offence of Transmission of Unsolicited or Deceptive Communication.

The arrest follows a complaint lodged on January 19, 2026, at Lusaka Central Police Station by Raphael Phiri, 53, a Corporate Affairs Officer at the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), acting on behalf of the Commission.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Chipo Kaitisha said the offence was contrary to Section 19(1)(d) of the Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025.

“It is alleged that on 15th January 2026, Honourable Sampa did transmit false information, claiming that a fake polling station had been opened along Ring Road in Lusaka,” Kaitisha said.

Read More: Sampa in deep trouble as police probe lawmaker’s alleged false claim of ‘ghost polling station’ in Chawama elections

She added that Sampa remained in custody awaiting his court appearance.

“The Zambia Police Service reaffirms its commitment to upholding the law impartially and thoroughly investigating all reported matters,” Kaitisha said.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, police had opened a docket against Sampa for the offence of Transmission of Unsolicited or Deceptive Communication.

Police Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi confirmed that investigations had commenced.

“The Zambia Police Service wishes to confirm that it has received a formal complaint against Honourable Miles Sampa,” Chilabi said.

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