By Memory Bbuku
TikToker FRANCIS KAPWEPWE, popularly known as WHY ME, has opted to defend himself in a matter in which he is accused of using hate speech and expressing hatred.
This followed the absence of KAPWEPWE’s lawyer, JONAS ZIMBA, who failed to appear for trial, leading to the accused representing himself before Lusaka Principal Resident Magistrate IDAH PHIRI.
Meanwhile, a witness has testified that he was shocked and disturbed by the video in which KAPWEPWE is alleged to have insulted people from Southern Province.
BILL KAPING’A, a peasant farmer from Luanshya on the Copperbelt, told the court that while watching the video on TikTok, he imagined how people from Southern Province must have felt.
In this matter, KAPWEPWE is facing three counts of hate speech and expressing or showing hatred, ridicule or contempt towards persons on the basis of race, tribe, place of origin or colour.
It is alleged that on March 31, 2025, KAPWEPWE knowingly, and without lawful excuse, used hate speech against Tonga people on his TikTok page known as “Why Me the Lion of the World”.
In the second count, KAPWEPWE is alleged to have used hate speech against people from Southern Province on the same TikTok page on April 3, 2025.
It is further alleged that on April 8, 2025, KAPWEPWE uttered words on the same TikTok page that expressed or showed hatred, ridicule or contempt for people from Southern Province.
Source: ZNBC