Former "online bully" and Media personality Mutale Mwanza has issued one of her strongest warnings yet to social media users, saying Zambia's cyber laws are real, unforgiving, and capable of turning a single online post into years of legal battles.
Speaking during a live Facebook broadcast, Mwanza said she is no longer interested in exchanging insults with people who attack her online because she has already experienced the painful consequences of online misconduct.
"Personally, I've got so much love in my heart that I don't even have time to insult," she said.
Mwanza said she has noticed a growing trend where anyone publicly supporting the ruling UPND is immediately subjected to insults and personal attacks instead of issue-based debates.
"This is a message that's going out to people who don't want to focus on issue-based politics and people who are constantly calling anybody who endorses the UPND a prostitute, a dunderhead, and just basically name-calling."
She said political differences should never replace meaningful conversations about policies.
"If you want to debate, or if you would like to challenge me to a debate, let's debate on policies... let's have a conversation."
Instead of attacking appearances or personal histories, Mwanza challenged critics to engage on manifestos and ideas.
"Stop telling me how my body looks. I have a mirror. I'm very aware of how I look."
She added: "Even if you try to refer to people's past... people grow, people change."
But it was when she reflected on her own experience with the law that her message took a dramatic turn.
Mwanza openly admitted that she once made the same mistake many social media users are making today.
"I also have been in a space where I've insulted people before on social media."
She then paused before revealing what followed.
"Do you know where that landed me? It landed me in court."
According to Mwanza, the experience completely changed how she views online conduct.
"I'm a perfect example of what the cyber laws can do to you in this country when you make a mistake and when you insult people online."
She said the legal process itself became punishment. "I was thrown in a police cell."
"After that, I spent... was it two years? If it's not two years, it's one and a half years going to court. Humiliated."
Using herself as an example, Mwanza warned those hiding behind anonymous accounts and fake profiles that distance offers no protection from the law.
"If you think you're going to come online and spread lies about the President... if you're going to start name-calling political leaders, celebrities and influencers for exercising their democratic right... the law will catch up with you."
She also directed her warning at Zambians living abroad who believe they cannot be touched by local laws.
"I find it interesting that people who've got the most to say are not even in Zambia."
"Don't think because you're far away... you are immune from these laws. The law will catch up with you one day."
Mwanza became even more emphatic as she warned those insulting the Head of State and other public figures online.
"You think you're going to sit behind an electronic device and insult people, insult the President and say all these bad things... somehow in your head, in your medulla oblongata, you feel like the laws are not going to catch up with you."
She continued: "Oh Lord, you must be out of your mind. The law will catch up with you one day, and when it does, it will be terrible."
Her advice was straightforward, "Use social media wisely and stop insulting people."
Beyond cyber laws, Mwanza also defended her decision to support the UPND, insisting that political support is a democratic right and should not attract abuse.
"If I tell you I'm supporting the UPND, it's my democratic right."
She disclosed that her confidence in the ruling party is based on what she has personally read and observed.
"I have read their manifesto, I understand it, and I've also seen what the President has been doing."
According to Mwanza, many critics deliberately ignore visible government achievements.
"The thing is that we want to act like we can't see."
She pointed to the return of student meal allowances, improved payment of council workers, revitalisation of the mining sector and the increase of the Constituency Development Fund from 1.6 million Kwacha to 40 million Kwacha.
"CDF from 1.6 million to 40 million... you guys don't think that's a game changer?"
She added: "If you don't, then really something is wrong with you somewhere."
JUST TO UNLOCK YOUR MIND
Mutale Mwanza issued a formal public apology on 20 April 2026 to media personality Chichi Daisy (Chinyimba Daisy Mwansa Lusumpa).
In her apology, she referenced the original online posts she made on 7 November 2024 about Chichi Daisy.
The issue arose from cyber-related allegations published on social media, which later formed the basis of a legal complaint.
Odds of Ms. Mwanza winning the case were so low, like a student who did not study and has no clue about anything before entering the exam room. Public sympathy grew, and calls for Mwanza to apologize so that the case could be withdrawn started growing online.
Cyber-related laws in Zambia, if found guilty, can lead to up to 5 to 7 years in jail, according to the new Cyber Crimes Act signed into law last year.
The matter progressed through the legal system as a cyber harassment case before being withdrawn after acceptance by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In the apology, she admitted responsibility for the posts, stating that they were false, damaging, and harmful to Ms. Lusumpa’s reputation, and she acknowledged the public and personal harm caused.
The case started with social media posts in November 2024, moved into a cyber law dispute, and ended in 2026 with a formal apology, showing how online statements can escalate into real legal consequences once they enter the justice system.
[Brave Heart News | UnlockingMinds]
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