Zambian-American influencer Ethel Chisono Edwards sentenced to 18 months for hate speech

A Zambian-American political influencer and blogger has been sentenced to 18 months in prison on hate speech charges for making insulting remarks to Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.

Zambian-born Ethel Chisono Edwards, who also holds US citizenship and works as a real estate agent in New York, has a large following across various social media accounts. She has become known as the “One Lady Leader” due to her loud statements about the president over the past 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 before the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court and apologized to the president for her comments.

But Justice Webster Milombe said the court had a duty to send a strong warning, noting that hate speech was becoming increasingly common.

Edwards, who has been in police custody since her arrest, was convicted under the Cyber ​​Security Act and the Cybercrime Act – new legislation that came into force this year.

She admitted to using the computer system to post the offensive statements, acknowledged that she had no legitimate excuse, and admitted that her words were motivated by hate.

Her attorney, Joseph Katati, described Edwards as a remorseful first offender with potential.

He went on to detail how she was a breadwinner and philanthropist who sponsored a Zambian girls’ soccer team that would suffer from her imprisonment.

He also made a detailed public apology on her behalf.

“I want to apologize unreservedly to the President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, his family and the nation of Zambia for the words I said against the President and for the negative effects those words may have caused to the President, his family and the nation as a whole,” the statement read.

Throughout her court appearance, Edwards appeared subdued, a stark contrast to her online persona.

The judge acknowledged Mr. Qatati’s request for a reduced sentence, and said that the sentence issued against Edwards would be effective from the time of her arrest.

Al-Kattati said that he has not yet received instructions from his client regarding whether he will appeal the ruling.

The influencer’s imprisonment has divided opinion in Zambia, with some saying it was necessary while others said it violated freedom of expression.

Hichilema, who took office in 2021, repealed criminal defamation laws against the president, but Zambians still face prosecution under other laws.

In September, two men were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for attempting to use witchcraft to kill President Hichilema.