Facebook blogger, Musyani, co-accused await DPP consent in cyber harassment case

Jailed Facebook blogger, Elias Musyani, appeared before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on a charge of cyber harassment but was unable to take plea due to the State’s pending consent to prosecute from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Musyani, who is jointly charged with Stephen Nyirenda under the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, faces allegations of publishing harassing content online.

The case was scheduled for plea, but prosecutors informed Magistrate Idah Phiri that the DPP had not yet granted consent for count one.

“There is a proposal for the case to come on a later date because there is no consent for that charge,” Magistrate Phiri stated, stressing the need for procedural clarity.

The court clarified that while Musyani is on police bond in this matter, he is currently serving a sentence in a separate case.

The matter has been adjourned to June 16, 2025, pending the required consent from the DPP.

Musyani and Nyirenda are alleged to be administrators of a Facebook page called High Profile Official, which they allegedly used to publish content deemed harassing and emotionally distressing.

In one count, it is alleged that on February 28, 2025, Nyirenda posted a message intended to harass one Rebecca Mutinta Chimuka.

The message read in part: “This is my husband’s side. I am going through a lot because of her and I’m pregnant. I want to expose this hule.”

Nyirenda also faces a separate charge of possessing obscene material, allegedly found in his possession between February 7 and March 24, 2025.

In another count, both Musyani and Nyirenda are accused of electronically communicating harassing content targeting a woman identified as Lucy Shawa on February 7, 2025. The post reportedly accused Shawa of infidelity and referenced a sexually transmitted infection.

The charges fall under Sections 69 and 59(1)(a) of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021.

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