By 
A 21-year-old security guard from Lusaka’s Mtendere township, Aaron Chipampe, has been fined K1,000 after being convicted of seditious practices for a Facebook post advocating a coup against President Hakainde Hichilema.
Lusaka Magistrate Idah Phiri ruled that Chipampe would serve six months of hard labour if he fails to pay the fine within 14 days.
However, he was acquitted on a separate charge of possessing offensive weapons due to insufficient evidence.
State prosecutor, Michael Nyundwe, provided evidence showing that Chipampe, using the Facebook profile “Kah Sky Love,” made the post in a group called Ichilankalipa mu Zambia.
The post, written in Bemba, translated to: “HH only needs a coup.”
During mitigation, Chipampe pleaded for forgiveness, highlighting his role as the sole provider for his family, which includes a one-year-old child and elderly parents.
He told the court, “Even now, my family is waiting for the K20 I was supposed to send for medicine.”
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Magistrate Phiri acknowledged the seriousness of the offense but exercised leniency due to Chipampe being a first-time offender.
“Social media abuse is on the rise, and if left unchecked, it can have serious consequences for the country,” she stated.
The court imposed a fine of K1,000, significantly lower than the maximum penalty of K2,400 or a seven-year prison term.
Additionally, Chipampe’s phone, used to post the seditious content, will be forfeited to the state and auctioned, with proceeds going to the government.
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