By Ebi Kesiena
A Zambian-American social media influencer has been sentenced to 18 months in prison under Zambia’s new cybercrime legislation for allegedly issuing hate speech and offensive remarks against President Hakainde Hichilema—a case that has ignited a nationwide debate on free expression and the limits of online speech.
Ethel Chisono Edwards, popularly known on social media as “One Boss Lady,” pleaded guilty before a Lusaka magistrate’s court to charges of publishing insulting and derogatory statements targeting the president. Edwards, who traveled to Zambia three months ago to attend a family funeral, was arrested shortly after her arrival.
According to court proceedings, the influencer admitted that her remarks were motivated by hatred and made without any lawful justification. Her admission paved the way for a swift conviction under the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act—legislation introduced this year to combat cyber threats, regulate digital activity, and criminalise offenses such as cyber harassment, hate speech, and offensive online communication.
Delivering the judgment, Magistrate Webster Milumbe emphasised the increasing dangers of hate speech on digital platforms and said the courts had a responsibility to “send a strong message” to deter similar conduct. He noted that while freedom of expression remains a constitutional right, it does not extend to speech that endangers public order or promotes hostility.
The sentencing has sharply divided public opinion across the country. Supporters of the ruling argue that it is necessary to restore decorum in online spaces that have become increasingly toxic, particularly toward public officials. Many insist that social media has emboldened individuals to spread misinformation, insults, and hateful rhetoric with little accountability.
Critics, however, view the conviction as a troubling sign of shrinking civic space under laws that they argue are open to abuse. Civil society groups and online activists have warned that the cybercrime statutes—originally pitched as tools to safeguard digital users, are now being used to clamp down on dissenting voices. They point out that although President Hichilema abolished the colonial-era criminal defamation law against the presidency shortly after assuming office in 2021, the continued prosecutions under newer cyber laws appear contradictory to that reform.
For many observers, the case encapsulates the broader struggle across Africa to strike a balance between regulating harmful online behavior and safeguarding fundamental freedoms. As Zambia navigates these tensions, Edwards’ imprisonment is expected to fuel ongoing discussions about digital rights, state power, and the evolving boundaries of online speech in the country.
