TikToker Francis Kapwepwe, popularly known as Why Me, is today expected to learn his fate when the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court delivers sentence in a hate speech case and expressing hatred.
Kapwepwe, who recently changed his plea and admitted guilt to two counts of hate speech before Principal Resident Magistrate Idah Phiri, was convicted on his own admission after confirming the facts and evidence earlier presented by the prosecution.
The state indicated that it intended to present details of a previous conviction during the sentencing hearing, today.
The charges arise from videos allegedly published on Kapwepwe’s TikTok account, “Why Me the Lion of the World”, in which he was accused of directing hate speech against the Tonga people and residents of Southern Province in March and April 2025.
During the trial, forensic evidence presented in court reportedly linked the content to the accused’s social media accounts, while digital experts testified that the videos were authentic and not generated using artificial intelligence.
The sentencing hearing is also expected to focus on Kapwepwe’s criminal record after prosecutors informed the court that he is a second offender, citing a 2025 conviction by the Livingstone Magistrate’s Court in a separate hate speech matter.
The state argues that the previous conviction should be taken into account when determining an appropriate sentence.
Today’s decision is expected to bring to a close a case that has reignited debate over online conduct, hate speech and accountability on social media.
With Kapwepwe already convicted, attention now turns to the sentence the court will impose and what message it could send to content creators and social media users across the country.
By Josphat Hamakala
