Zambian politician arraigned for calling president potatoe

Zambian politician arraigned for calling president potatoe

Zambian politician arraigned for calling president potatoe

An opposition politician in Zambia has been arrested and charged with defamation after he compared the president to a potato.


Frank Bwalya allegedly described President Michael Sata as "chumbu mushololwa" on radio on Monday.

The Bemba language phrase refers to a sweet potato that breaks when it is bent and is used to describe someone who does not listen to advice.

Mr Bwalya faces a maximum jail term of five years if he is convicted.

He is a former pastor and supporter of Mr Sata. He now heads the opposition Alliance for a Better Zambia (ABZ) party.

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo said Mr Bwalya had been arrested for making defamatory remarks against Mr Sata, state-run media reports.