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.