“Zambian Influencer Jailed 18 Months for Hate Speech”

Zambian influencer Ethel Chisono Edwards jailed 18 months for hate speech against President Hakainde Hichilema under new cyber laws

Zambian-American influencer and political vlogger Ethel Chisono Edwards was sentenced to 18 months in prison for hate speech after making insulting remarks about Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema, Magistrate Webster Milumbe announced in Lusaka on Friday.

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Edwards, 42, also known as “One Boss Lady,” holds dual Zambian and US citizenship and works as an estate agent in New York.

She was arrested three months ago at Lusaka’s main airport while returning to attend her grandmother’s funeral.

The influencer pleaded guilty in magistrate’s court and issued a public apology to the president, his family, and the nation.

Magistrate Milumbe noted the growing prevalence of hate speech and stressed that the sentence served as a strong warning.

Edwards was convicted under Zambia’s newly enacted Cyber Security Act and Cyber Crimes Act, acknowledging she used online platforms to publish the offensive statements without lawful excuse and with hateful intent.

Her lawyer, Joseph Katati, described her as a remorseful first offender, highlighting her philanthropic work, including sponsorship of a Zambian girls’ football team, and argued for mitigation.

He also delivered a detailed apology on her behalf.

“I want to unreservedly apologise to the president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, his family, and the nation of Zambia for the words that I uttered against the president and for the negative effects that those words may have caused,” the statement read.

Throughout court proceedings, Edwards appeared subdued, contrasting sharply with her outspoken online persona.

The magistrate confirmed that her sentence would take effect from the date of her arrest.

Mr Katati added that he had yet to receive instructions from Edwards on whether to appeal.

The case has sparked debate in Zambia, with some citizens supporting the sentence as a necessary deterrent, while others argue it infringes on freedom of speech.

Although President Hichilema abolished criminal defamation laws against the president after taking office in 2021, other statutes, including the cyber legislation, remain enforceable.

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In a separate high-profile case, two men were sentenced in September to two years in prison for attempting to use witchcraft against President Hichilema.