Botswana Teen Charged for Offensive First Lady Photo

A teenager has been charged for posting a photo likening Botswana’s first lady, Neo Masisi, to a male comedian.

Moniwe Nicholas Kamwi – a 19-year-old hailing from the country’s North-West District – has been charged with “the use of offensive electronic communication”, after allegedly sharing the photo to his Facebook account on 11 November.

In the image, Masisi is pictured alongside popular comedian William Motsetserepa. The latter is shown wearing pink lipstick and a wig cut into a bob cut hairstyle – much like what the First Lady is wearing.

Per reports, Kamwi violated the country’s 2018 Cyber Act by posting the seemingly offensive image.

The Cyber Act clearly states that “a person who willfully, maliciously or repeatedly uses electronic communication of an offensive nature to disturb or attempt to disturb the peace” is subjected to a fine of up to 20 000 pulas.

Alternatively, Kamwi could spend up to one year in jail if he is found guilty.

Image Credit: Source