Chipata man gets 12 months for insulting Tongas, Lozis
Chipata man gets 12 months for insulting Tongas, Lozis
A 30-YEAR-OLD man of Referendum Township in Chipata has been sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labour for insulting Tonga and Lozi-speaking people.
Rabson Phiri recorded a video of himself insulting the Lozis and Tongas, which he posted on Facebook.
He was charged with one count of hate speech, contrary to Section 70(1) of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, and he admitted to the offence.
Particulars of the offence are that Phiri, between August 18 and August 27, 2026, in Chipata, did express remarks of hatred and contempt towards the Lozi and Tonga people by stating that they are “dogs” through a TikTok video on a Facebook account named “Slow Boy.”
He appeared before Chipata Resident Magistrate Chikondi Mbewe, who convicted him upon his admission of the offence.
Phiri asked for leniency from the court, stating that he regrets his actions.
In mitigation, the convict told the court that he has a wife and four children who would suffer if he were sent to prison.
“I am asking your forgiveness for this act. I have a wife and four children. I have young siblings that I take care of. My wife is struggling to survive. I am supposed to be in school,” pleaded Phiri.
Magistrate Mbewe sentenced the convict to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour due to the prevalence of cyber-related offences and to curb the reckless use of social media.
“I feel a stiff punishment must be imposed in order to deter other would-be offenders,” he ordered.
MAYENGO NYIRENDA/ ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL