By Memory Bbuku & Alice Lubasi
American-based Zambian vlogger ETHEL CHISONO EDWARDS has been sentenced to 18 months’ simple imprisonment for uttering hateful remarks against President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA.
This follows her guilty plea to one count of hate speech before Lusaka Magistrate WEBSTER MILUMBE.
When the matter came up for continuation of trial, State Prosecutor VOSTER MUNSAKA applied to amend the indictment after reaching an agreement with Mrs. EDWARDS’ lawyers.
Upon conviction, Mrs. EDWARDS, through her lawyer JOSEPH KATATI, pleaded for leniency, arguing that she was a first offender who had readily admitted the offence without wasting the court’s time.
Mr. KATATI informed the court that the convict was remorseful and had apologised to the President, his family, and the nation.
He said his client had pledged to become an advocate against the abuse of social media.
Mr. KATATI also read out a written statement from Mrs. EDWARDS, in which she said she had learnt her lesson and vowed never again to make hateful remarks against others.
Magistrate MILUMBE said he had considered the fact that Mrs. EDWARDS was a first offender and had publicly apologised.
However, he said the offence of hate speech had become increasingly common, adding that the sentence should serve as a warning to would-be offenders.
