A Zambian-American social media influencer, Ethel Chisono Edwards, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison in Zambia for hate speech after making insulting comments about President Hakainde Hichilema.
Edwards, popularly known as One Boss Lady, built a large online following with her frequent political rants targeting the Zambian leader. The 42-year-old, who works as a real estate agent in New York, was arrested three months ago at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport when she arrived to attend her grandmother’s funeral.
She pleaded guilty before a magistrate’s court in Lusaka and offered an apology to President Hichilema. However, Magistrate Webster Milumbe said the court needed to send a strong message, warning that hate speech was becoming widespread in Zambia.
Edwards was charged under the Cyber Security Act and Cyber Crimes Act, new laws that came into force earlier this year. She admitted that she used a computer system to publish offensive remarks about the president, conceded she had no lawful justification, and accepted that her comments were motivated by hatred.
Her lawyer, Joseph Katati, described her as a remorseful first offender who supports her family and funds charitable projects. He told the court she sponsors a Zambian girls’ football team that would suffer in her absence. He also issued an extensive public apology on her behalf, saying she deeply regretted her words and their effects on the president and the nation.
During her court appearances, Edwards appeared calm and subdued—far removed from her fiery online persona. Magistrate Milumbe said he considered the plea for leniency and ruled that her 18-month sentence would run from the date of her arrest.
Katati said he has not yet received instructions on whether she will appeal the ruling.
The case has split public opinion in Zambia. Some citizens say the punishment is necessary to curb online abuse, while others argue it undermines free speech.
President Hichilema had previously abolished Zambia’s criminal defamation law against the president, but critics note that citizens can still face prosecution under cybercrime legislation.
In a separate incident in September, two men were sentenced to two years in prison for attempting to use witchcraft to kill the president.