Blogger Chishimba jailed nine months over Chipo
By Charles Musonda
A MAGISTRATES court has sentenced blogger Joseph Chishimba to nine months imprisonment with hard labour for making malicious allegations against President Hakainde Hichilema.
Chishimba, 49, was found guilty of accusing Hichilema of impregnating his policy advisor at State House Chipo Mwanawasa without proof.
Lusaka magistrate Idah Phiri yesterday jailed Chishimba of Lusaka’s Jack Compound, saying the crime he committed had become prevalent on social media.
Phiri noted that people were publicising false and unverified information to hurt others, hence the need for custodial punishment.
“Having considered the nature and circumstances of the case, it had the potential to destroy public confidence as it touched on the highest office of the land and a custodial sentence is warranted. I therefore sentence you to nine months’ imprisonment with hard labour with effect from 11th September 2026,” she said.
Phiri said although there was an option of a fine in such an offence, there was a need to deter would-be offenders and help them reform because the offence had become rampant.
She said she was aware that Chishimba was a first offender who deserved leniency, but the offence had become rampant.
Chishimba was convicted last Friday on one count of publication of false information, contrary to Section 54 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021.
After a year of trial, principal resident magistrate Phiri convicted him after she was satisfied that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
She said the evidence showed that material containing the offence was received by Chishimba from an individual known as Charles Kakula and was subsequently transferred using Chishimba’s phone to a WhatsApp group.
Phiri said the material was circulated by pages such as Munyaule Zambia and Dear Zambia with sensational headlines claiming the President had been sued for allegedly impregnating Chipo.
She said forensic evidence showed that the post had been distributed from Chishimba’s phone.
Chipo Mwanawasa, 36, had testified the rumours had caused deep embarrassment to her family and the Presidency, particularly because she was a daughter of the late former president Levy Mwanawasa.
She said the allegations brought had shame not only upon her and the Mwanawasa family’s name, but also upon the Presidency, the President’s family and the country as a whole.
