CHINA/ZAMBIA: A social media content creator from China, Lu Ke has been extradited from Zambia to Malawi to face charges over “dehumanising” video clips he made using Malawian minors from Lilongwe and Mchinji districts.
The content creator was exposed by BBC Africa Eye, in a documentary where he was spotted using local children to film racist videos.
The young boy was seen in the video making comments like, “I’m a black monster” in Chinese without knowing what they were saying. However, the videos, according to findings could be bought on Chinese social media and internet platforms at $70 (which is equivalent to R1,200).
Nancy Tembo, the Malawian foreign affairs minister on Sunday said the content creator had fled Zambia in June after the video. He would return to the country on July 16 to face charges for “dehumanising videos he produced by tricking Malawian children in Lilongwe and Mchinji districts for profit.”
“Through co-operating with both the government of the People’s Republic of China and the government of the Republic of Zambia, the Malawi government established Lu Ke had fled to Zambia using unchartered routes,” Tembo disclosed. “The Zambian government apprehended him for irregular entry and fined him accordingly.”
Tembo added, “Following this development, the Malawi government, through cooperation among ministries of homeland security, justice and foreign affairs, reached out to the Zambian government to request the extradition of Mr Lu Ke.”
After procedures for considering the extradition request were completed, the government of Zambia handed over Lu Ke at Mchinji border on July 16. Lu Ke is expected to appear in court, where he will be charged for contravening laws of Malawi, which the director of public prosecutions will outline soon.
Meanwhile, the ministry of foreign affairs cautioned the public to be watchful and ensure that children’s rights are not abused in any way.
ALSO READ: Logan Paul, A Social Media Star and Boxer, has Signed a Contract with WWE