CHIEF Government spokesperson Dora Siliya has urged citizens not to fall prey to fake online jobs purported to be offered by various ministries because Government does not employ through Facebook. Ms Siliya said Government is concerned that a lot of people are falling victim to fake Facebook accounts bearing names of ministers and in some cases, the name of President Edgar Lungu, claiming to offer employment.

Ms Siliya, who is Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services said this is why the Ministry of Transport and Communications is working with her ministry to enact laws to protect the cyber space. “We are concerned about continued fake news online, and also people abusing other people’s names in terms of creating fake Facebook accounts using the names of those in public offices.

A lot of people have lost money because they are being wooed with the promises of jobs and diplomatic postings using ministers’ names, and the name of President Edgar Lungu,” Ms Siliya said. Ms Siliya has urged people to be cautious about online offers.

“Let us be very careful in the manner we use the internet or the way our children engage with the internet. The internet is a good thing, but there are people who are abusing it out there. They are using it to steal money from citizens and circulating fake news. Be careful when you correspond with people on the internet. Government does not employ through the internet. We should not part with money using Facebook,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ms Siliya has condemned political violence.

She said only political parties that lack intra-party democracies engage in violence because they do not know democracy.
Ms Siliya said it is possible to criticise Government constructively without engaging in violence.
“It is possible to dialogue in a civil manner and offer solutions,” she said.