Zambian influencer jailed for insulting President Hichilema

Zambian-American social media influencer Ethel Chisono Edwards, known as "One Boss Lady," has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for insulting President Hakainde Hichilema. Arrested in September while returning to attend her grandmother’s funeral, she pleaded guilty to hate speech under Zambia’s Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Acts. Edwards apologized in court, but the magistrate said the sentence serves as a warning against online hate speech.

Ethel Chisono Edwards, a Zambian-American social media influencer, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for insulting Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. The sentencing was delivered by Lusaka Magistrate Webster Milumbe after Edwards pleaded guilty to a charge of hate speech, according to reports from the state broadcaster ZNBC.

Edwards, who is popularly known online as "One Boss Lady," has amassed a large following across multiple social media platforms, where she is known for frequently posting content critical of President Hichilema and his administration. In addition to her social media activities, she is reportedly an estate agent operating in New York.

The influencer was arrested at Zambia’s main airport in Lusaka in September while returning to the country to attend her grandmother’s funeral. She remained in police custody from the time of her arrest until her conviction, which was handed down under the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act. The case highlights the growing attention by Zambian authorities on regulating online content and enforcing laws against hate speech.

During the court proceedings, Edwards expressed sincere remorse for her actions. Through her lawyer, Joseph Katati, she issued an apology to the President, his family, and the people of Zambia, describing herself as a first-time offender and asking for leniency. In a statement read aloud in court, she said, "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."

Despite her apology, Magistrate Milumbe emphasized that the prison sentence was intended to serve as a strong warning to others about the consequences of engaging in hate speech. The magistrate noted that such actions could have serious implications for national stability and public order. It is currently unclear whether Edwards will challenge the ruling through an appeal.

The sentencing of Edwards has reignited discussions around freedom of expression, the responsibilities of social media users, and the boundaries of public criticism in Zambia. Her case underscores the tension between individual expression online and the legal limitations imposed to protect public figures and national security.

This is not the first time individuals have faced imprisonment in Zambia for offenses targeting President Hichilema. In a separate case in September, two men were sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of attempting to harm the president through witchcraft. These cases collectively reflect the Zambian government’s firm stance on protecting the dignity and safety of the head of state.