Propaganda season is here: a caution to Tonse Alliance supporters and all Zambians.

As Zambia approaches a decisive election, the political temperature is rising—and with it, the volume of deliberate misinformation. Supporters of Brian Mundubile, members of the Tonse Alliance, and indeed all citizens must now exercise heightened judgment. What we are witnessing is not ordinary political debate; it is weaponised storytelling, designed to confuse, divide, and emotionally hijack voters.

The recent circulation of sensational claims—complete with alleged “receipts,” foreign financiers, secret meetings, and precise figures—fits a classic misinformation pattern explained in Foolproof: Why We Fall for Misinformation and How to Build Immunity. The book teaches that false narratives succeed not because they are true, but because they are emotionally sticky. They provoke anger, betrayal, fear, and moral outrage—emotions that shut down careful reasoning.

A key warning from Foolproof is this: specificity does not equal truth. Propaganda often uses exact amounts of money, named locations, and familiar faces to simulate credibility. The more dramatic and detailed the story, the more likely it is engineered for viral impact rather than factual accuracy. When claims appear suddenly, rely on anonymous “sources,” and offer no verifiable evidence beyond repetition, caution is not weakness—it is wisdom.

Another danger sign is selective moral outrage. When narratives loudly accuse some actors while quietly absolving others, the aim is rarely justice. It is factional manipulation. Propaganda thrives by turning supporters against each other, fracturing movements from within, and exhausting citizens with scandal fatigue. Division, not truth, is often the real objective.

Supporters must therefore resist the urge to share content simply because it confirms existing suspicions or flatters one’s political side. As Foolproof reminds us, being politically committed does not make one immune to deception—it often makes one more vulnerable. The real test of political maturity is the ability to pause, verify, and refuse emotional bait.

As election day draws near, misinformation will intensify. This is not accidental; it is strategic. The antidote is not counter-insults or rival conspiracies, but discipline of mind: ask for evidence, check multiple credible sources, distrust anonymous leaks, and beware stories designed to make you instantly angry or morally superior.

Zambia’s democracy will not be defended by gossip or digital mobs. It will be defended by citizens who understand that not everything loud is true, and not everything viral is real. In this season, vigilance is patriotism.

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