Blogger, Why Me’s hate speech case reassigned as defence challenges jurisdiction

The courtroom drama surrounding blogger Francis Kapwepwe, better known as Why Me, took a new turn when his hate speech case was reallocated to Principal Resident Magistrate Idah Phiri.

The handover followed the sudden recusal of Senior Resident Magistrate Andrew Mungala, who stepped aside on Monday citing professional reasons.

Chief Resident Magistrate Davies Chibwili wasted no time in assigning the controversial case to Magistrate Phiri, ensuring the matter remains on track.

When Kapwepwe, 29, made his first appearance before the new magistrate, proceedings stalled once again as his lawyers raised a preliminary objection.

Defence counsel Jonas Zimba argued that the issue of jurisdiction—on whether a Zambian court has authority over alleged offences committed while the influencer was in Zimbabwe—had already been flagged before the previous magistrate.

He told the court the defence would file a notice of motion supported by skeleton arguments, a request the State did not contest.

Senior State Advocate, Mukuma Chipawa maintained that the defence was within its rights to challenge jurisdiction.

Magistrate Phiri directed the defence to file the motion today and scheduled October 9, 2025, as the date for her ruling on the application.

Kapwepwe, who remains in custody after being denied bail on grounds that he is a flight risk, faces three charges linked to his TikTok broadcasts between March and April this year.

Prosecutors allege that in his online videos, he insulted Vice President Mutale Nalumango and disparaged the Tonga community.

In another post, he is accused of claiming President Hakainde Hichilema planned to crown Chief Mukuni as king and called for Southern Province to secede from Zambia.

The third charge alleges he used obscene and derogatory language against the Tonga people.

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