Court convicts vlogger Chishimba over Mwanawasa allegations

THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on Thursday convicted vlogger Joseph Chishimba for disseminating a WhatsApp screenshot alleging that Special Assistant to the President for Public Policy Chipokota Mwanawasa was in a relationship with President Hakainde Hichilema and was pregnant. Lusaka Principal Resident Magistrate Idah Phiri found Chishimba, 47, guilty under Section 54 of the Cyber Security

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THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on Thursday convicted vlogger Joseph Chishimba for disseminating a WhatsApp screenshot alleging that Special Assistant to the President for Public Policy Chipokota Mwanawasa was in a relationship with President Hakainde Hichilema and was pregnant.

Lusaka Principal Resident Magistrate Idah Phiri found Chishimba, 47, guilty under Section 54 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021.

In her judgment Sept. 11, Phiri said evidence showed Chishimba received the material from Charles Kakula and transmitted it from his mobile phone to a WhatsApp group.

The court heard that while a cyber security analyst did not recover the post from the group, forensic evidence established that it was sent from Chishimba’s phone.

Phiri said the evidence was largely circumstantial but sufficient to conclude that Chishimba disseminated the material. She said the law criminalizes intent and does not require that intent be proved expressly.

Prosecutors alleged that between Oct. 9 and Oct. 14, 2024, in Lusaka, Chishimba posted a screenshot from a Facebook page in a WhatsApp group called “Zambia Politics” with a caption containing the allegations.

Mwanawasa testified that the claims brought shame to her, her family and the presidency. She said she learned of them while on official duty in Greece. The state said the publication compromised her safety and security.

Chishimba, of Jack Township, denied publishing the material and said he had no knowledge of the screenshot or the group.

The court adjourned the matter to Monday for mitigation and sentencing after defense counsel was absent when judgment was delivered.

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