Zambian Vlogger Convicted Over Sensational Mwanawasa Pregnancy Claim

Blogger and vlogger Joseph Chishimba, aged 47, of Jack Township in Lusaka, has been convicted by the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on charges of cyber harassment and publication of false information. Principal Resident Magistrate Idah Phiri found Chishimba guilty, ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Chishimba was charged under Section 54 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act Number 2 of 2021. The charges stemmed from his alleged use of an electronic system to circulate a screenshot containing allegations that Special Assistant to the President for Public Policy, Chipokota Mwanawasa, was pregnant for President Hakainde Hichilema. This act was carried out with the intention of harassing the complainant.

In delivering her judgment on September 11, 2026, Magistrate Phiri detailed the evidence presented to the court. It was established that material containing the sensitive allegations was initially received by Chishimba from an individual identified as Charles Kakula. This material was subsequently transferred from Chishimba's mobile phone to a WhatsApp group known as “Zambia Politics”. The court heard that forensic analysis by a Cyber Security Analyst did not locate the specific post within the WhatsApp group; however, other compelling evidence confirmed that the material had indeed been disseminated from Chishimba’s phone.

Magistrate Phiri observed that while the evidence linking Chishimba to the dissemination was largely circumstantial, it was deemed sufficient to support a finding that the material had been distributed. The court further held that the relevant legal provision criminalizes the intention behind such an act, and that this intention does not necessarily require direct evidence for its establishment.

The specific allegations involved Chishimba posting a screenshot from a Facebook page in the aforementioned WhatsApp group between October 9 and October 14, 2024, accompanied by a caption concerning Ms. Mwanawasa’s relationship with President Hichilema and an alleged pregnancy.

During the trial, Ms. Mwanawasa testified, expressing profound shock and stating that the allegations brought shame to her name, her family, and the Presidency. She learned of the claims while on official duty in Greece. The State argued that the publication had the potential to compromise Ms. Mwanawasa’s safety and security.

In his defense, Chishimba denied publishing the material, asserting he had no knowledge of either the screenshot or the WhatsApp group in question.

Following his conviction, Chishimba remains in custody. The matter has been adjourned to Monday for mitigation and sentencing, with the adjournment initially occurring due to the absence of Chishimba’s lawyer when the judgment was delivered.