Ethel Chisono Edwards, a 42-year-old dual Zambian–US citizen and real estate agent residing in the United States, has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for posting hate speech targeting President Hakainde Hichilema, his family, and the nation on social media. Known as 'One Boss Lady', Edwards, an influencer and political vlogger with a significant social media following, had become renowned for her rants about the president over the past two years.

Edwards was arrested approximately three months prior to her sentencing, upon her arrival in Zambia to attend her grandmother's funeral. She appeared before Lusaka Resident Magistrate Webster Milumbe, where she opened her sentencing with an emotional apology, admitting she had gone too far with crude insults. She was 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.

Initially, the charge was read, but the State applied to amend it to align with the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, which was approved by the court. Edwards then retook her plea, calmly admitting her guilt. She acknowledged that she knowingly used a computer system to post the offensive content and had no lawful excuse for her conduct, further confirming she had voluntarily entered a prior agreement with the State. Evidence presented included a digital forensic report from ZICTA expert Nawa Samatebele and a flash drive containing the offending posts, all of which Edwards accepted as true, leading to her conviction 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. Katati argued that a custodial sentence would unduly burden her family and the young athletes relying on her support. He also delivered Edwards’ written and public 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 necessity for strong deterrence given the increasing prevalence of hate speech. While the law allowed for a fine, he ruled that imprisonment was essential to warn others. Edwards’ 18-month sentence will take effect from the time of her arrest. The jailing of the influencer has divided opinion in Zambia, with some advocating for its necessity and others arguing it violates freedom of speech. This case highlights the complexities in Zambia, where President Hichilema abolished criminal defamation laws against the president, but citizens still face prosecution under other statutes, as evidenced by other convictions such as two men sentenced for attempting to use witchcraft against the president.