A Zambian-American influencer and political vlogger has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for hate speech for making insulting remarks about Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema.
Zambian-born Ethel Chisono Edwards, who also holds US citizenship and works as an estate agent in New York, has a large following across various social media accounts. Known as One Boss Lady, she has become renowned for her rants about the president over the last two years.
The 42-year-old was arrested at Zambia's main airport three months ago after arriving to attend her grandmother's funeral. She pleaded guilty in a magistrate's court in the capital, Lusaka, and apologized to the president for her comments.
However, Magistrate Webster Milumbe said the court had a duty to send a strong warning, noting that hate speech had become increasingly common.
Edwards has been in police custody since her arrest and was convicted under the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act, which were enacted this year. She acknowledged using a computer system to publish the offensive statements and admitted that her words were motivated by hatred.
Her lawyer, Joseph Katati, described Edwards as remorseful and a first offender with potential, emphasizing her role as a breadwinner and philanthropist who supports a Zambian girls' football team.
Throughout her court appearances, Edwards appeared subdued, contrasting sharply with her vibrant online persona. The magistrate acknowledged the plea for mitigation from her lawyer, stating that her sentence would be effective from the time of her arrest.
The jailing of Edwards has polarized opinion in Zambia. Some view the sentence as a necessary measure to address hate speech, while others assert that it infringes upon freedom of expression. Despite the abolition of criminal defamation laws, citizens in Zambia remain vulnerable to prosecution under other statutes when critiquing public figures.
This case has highlighted the ongoing tension between freedom of expression and governmental authority in Zambia, particularly in the context of a president who has focused on combating hate speech.
In September, two men received prison sentences for attempting to harm President Hichilema through witchcraft, further illustrating the state's approach to perceived threats against its leaders.
Zambian-born Ethel Chisono Edwards, who also holds US citizenship and works as an estate agent in New York, has a large following across various social media accounts. Known as One Boss Lady, she has become renowned for her rants about the president over the last two years.
The 42-year-old was arrested at Zambia's main airport three months ago after arriving to attend her grandmother's funeral. She pleaded guilty in a magistrate's court in the capital, Lusaka, and apologized to the president for her comments.
However, Magistrate Webster Milumbe said the court had a duty to send a strong warning, noting that hate speech had become increasingly common.
Edwards has been in police custody since her arrest and was convicted under the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act, which were enacted this year. She acknowledged using a computer system to publish the offensive statements and admitted that her words were motivated by hatred.
Her lawyer, Joseph Katati, described Edwards as remorseful and a first offender with potential, emphasizing her role as a breadwinner and philanthropist who supports a Zambian girls' football team.
Throughout her court appearances, Edwards appeared subdued, contrasting sharply with her vibrant online persona. The magistrate acknowledged the plea for mitigation from her lawyer, stating that her sentence would be effective from the time of her arrest.
The jailing of Edwards has polarized opinion in Zambia. Some view the sentence as a necessary measure to address hate speech, while others assert that it infringes upon freedom of expression. Despite the abolition of criminal defamation laws, citizens in Zambia remain vulnerable to prosecution under other statutes when critiquing public figures.
This case has highlighted the ongoing tension between freedom of expression and governmental authority in Zambia, particularly in the context of a president who has focused on combating hate speech.
In September, two men received prison sentences for attempting to harm President Hichilema through witchcraft, further illustrating the state's approach to perceived threats against its leaders.
