Vlogger Joseph Chishimba jailed 9 months for cyber harassment!
The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has sentenced 49-year-old vlogger Joseph Chishimba of Jack Compound to nine months’ imprisonment with hard labour for cyber harassment after he shared a WhatsApp post alleging that Presidential Policy Advisor Chipo Mwanawasa had been impregnated by someone at State House.
Chishimba was convicted after the court found that between October 9 and 14, 2024, he used his Samsung Galaxy phone and WhatsApp application to share communication targeting Ms Mwanawasa and President Hakainde Hichilema.
Lusaka Resident Magistrate Idah Phiri found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt under Section 54 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, ruling that the post was shared with the intention of harassing and causing emotional harm.
Magistrate Phiri said there was a need to send a clear message to would-be offenders, as cases of social media abuse are rampant.
The court informed Chishimba that he has 14 days within which to appeal the sentence.
-Diamond TV
This culture of online character assassination and insults must come to an end. Abusing innocent people cannot be regarded as freedom of expression. This right must be exercised in a responsible manner.
All those engaging in this criminal activity must be pursued relentlessly until our society is rid of this scourge.
There are too many social misfits who think hurling insults at innocent people is the best way to build online followers.
That was too lenient. I expected minimum of four years. However it sends a strong message to those would be offenders.
The Tongas never came from Congo. They came from the great lakes region. The Bembas came from Kola which was in present day Congo. Having said that anyone using social media to divide us Zambians must be punished severely. We are one people. I am sick and tired of commentaries laced with tribal connotations.