ZAMBIAN TikToker Francis Kapwepwe, known online as “Why Me,” was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison with hard labor after pleading guilty to hate speech charges.
Lusaka principal resident magistrate Idah Phiri said Kapwepwe published hateful remarks against different people, including President Hakainde Hichilema, Vice President Mutale Nalumango, Chief Mukuni and the people of Southern Province. The court heard he made the posts on March 31 and April 3, 2025, using his TikTok page, “WHY ME the Lion of the World.”
Kapwepwe apologized in court to the president, vice president, chief, the people of Southern Province and his Bemba tribe for the offensive posts. He said he was misled about Hichilema and asked for leniency.
Magistrate Phiri said she considered the apology and guilty plea but noted the seriousness of the offense and its potential to disturb peaceful coexistence in a multi-ethnic country. She said hate speech on social media had become increasingly common and needed to be curbed.
This is Kapwepwe’s second conviction for similar offenses. In February 2024, the Livingstone Magistrate’s Court sentenced him to 12 months in prison on hate speech charges.