Raphael Nakachinda and Dr. Fred M’membe Chaarged with Espionage

Zambia Police are making a stand against acts of espionage, charging two notable figures – Raphael Nakachinda and Dr. Fred M’membe.

The charges were brought under Section 3 (c) of the State Security Act Chapter 111 and hold the pair to account for their illicit participation in a documentary titled “The Grand Regional Scheme: Its Foreign Powers and Local Elites are Destroying Africa Part One.”

Raphael Nakachinda, 43, from the Kafue District, is at the centre of the espionage investigation. The police claim that from August 26 to September 16 Nakachinda clearly collaborated with others in creating a documentary containing contents deemed directly or indirectly useful to a foreign power. The documentary is alleged to be prejudicial to the safety and interest of the Republic of Zambia. As a result, Nakachinda is facing detention at Balmoral Police Station.

Dr. Fred M’membe, 64, from Lusaka, is also entangled in the espionage charges. As with Nakachinda, the allegations against Dr. M’membe implicate his involvement in the documentary during the same period. The charges state that he communicated information with the intention of being directly or indirectly useful to a foreign power. Once again, this information is considered prejudicial to the safety and interest of Zambia. Dr. M’membe is currently being remanded in police custody at Westwood Police Station.

The arrests have captured public attention. Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga confirmed these developments, stressing the gravity of the charges brought against the pair.

As legal proceedings unfold, the nation awaits the outcome of these espionage charges. The cases have put Nakachinda and Dr. M’membe under scrutiny, but also pointed to boundaries of expression by demonstrating there can be legal consequences for those who engage in activities that are deemed to jeopardise national security.