By 
Ethel Chisono Edwards has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for posting hate speech targeting President Hakainde Hichilema, his family, and the nation on social media.
The 42-year-old dual Zambian–US citizen, a real estate agent residing in the United States, opened her sentencing with an emotional apology, admitting she had gone too far with the crude insults.
Edwards appeared before Lusaka Resident Magistrate Webster Milumbe, looking stunned as the charge was read.
She had been accused of repeatedly using Facebook pages “Zambia Top Updates” and “Dominic Phiri” to hurl derogatory remarks at the President between February 2023 and February 2025.
When the State applied to amend the charge to align with the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, the court approved the request, requiring Edwards to retake her plea.
She calmly admitted her guilt, acknowledging that she knowingly used a computer system to post the offensive content and had no lawful excuse for her conduct.
She confirmed that she had voluntarily entered a prior agreement with the State.
Evidence included a digital forensic report from ZICTA expert, Nawa Samatebele, and a flash drive containing the offending posts. Edwards accepted all facts as true, prompting the magistrate to convict her on her own admission.
In mitigation, her lawyer Joseph Katati described her as a first-time offender, a breadwinner, and a philanthropist who supports the Chawama girls’ football team, Boss Kady Academy.
He argued that a custodial sentence would unduly burden her family and the young athletes relying on her support.
Katati also delivered Edwards’ written apology, in which she expressed deep regret, pledged never to use derogatory language again, and promised to serve as “a good ambassador against the abuse of social media.”
Magistrate Milumbe acknowledged Edwards’ remorse, community work, and guilty plea but emphasized the need for strong deterrence given the prevalence of hate speech.
While the law allowed for a fine, he ruled that imprisonment was necessary to warn others.
Edwards’ 18-month sentence will take effect from her arrest on September 12, 2025, when she landed in Zambia from the United States.
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