The second National Annual Prosecutors’ Conference was officially opened by Her Honour the Vice President of Zambia Mrs. W.K. Mutale Nalumango. The ceremony was graced by attendances from notable luminaries, including the Minister of Justice Hon. Princess Kasune, the Attorney General Mr. Mulilo Kabesha S.C, the Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Gilbert Phiri S.C who was flanked by the Prosecutor General of Namibia Ms Olyvia Martha Imalwa, the DPP of Malawi Mr Masuako Chamkakala and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ethics and Anti –Corruption Commission of Kenya.
In her remarks, the Vice President stated that in line with the theme of the conference which is anchored on co-operation , her government is cognisant of the fact that agencies must work together to achieve common goals. This she stated, maximises the usage of resources and leads to the avoidance of replicated work, as well as ensuring that knowledge and best practices are shared amongst criminal justice agencies in fighting crime. Interagency collaboration is the best model to fight corruption, financial crimes, child marriage, gender based violence, environmental crime, child delinquency, drug abuse and other vices that are plaguing our society. She emphasised that prosecutors must discharge their functions in a just and fair manner in order to uphold the rule of law. Additionally, a stern but timely reminder was cast at prosecutors, to desist from corrupt practices as such would impede the cause of justice.
The Vice President stated that Government is committed to enhancing access to justice as demonstrated by eight of the Zambian Provinces having a High Court, specialised Anti-GBV Fast Track Courts being introduced in all 10 provincial Headquarters, and the creation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Court.
The Vice President commended the NPA on the robust work it has done in the area of asset recovery, she was happy to note that in the first half of this year $34 million was recovered and encouraged the NPA to continue on that trajectory.