A Zambian-American influencer, Ethel Chisono Edwards, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for making insulting remarks about Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema.
Edwards, 42, who also holds US citizenship and works as an estate agent in New York, was arrested at Zambia’s main airport three months ago after arriving to attend her grandmother’s funeral.
Known as “One Boss Lady” on social media, Edwards had gained a large following for her rants about the president over the last two years.
She pleaded guilty in a magistrate’s court in Lusaka and apologized for her comments, but Magistrate Webster Milumbe said the court had a duty to send a strong warning against hate speech.
Edwards was convicted under the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act, new legislation that came into effect this year.
Her lawyer, Joseph Katati, described her as a remorseful first offender with potential and delivered a public apology on her behalf.
