Lusaka, January, 2025 – The Court of Appeal has granted the State leave to appeal to the Supreme Court in a high-stakes non-conviction-based forfeiture case involving Sydney Mwansa, a bus conductor who is also a convicted drug dealer. The ruling highlights the fact that forfeiture laws apply indiscriminately, cutting across all social and economic classes. Mwansa’s legal troubles began in 2016 when he was arrested for drug-related offences. Investigators uncovered that, despite his modest earnings, he owned substantial assets, including a prime property in New Kasama, a house in Kamwala, and a Girsan pistol. The State argued that his known income was insufficient to lawfully acquire such wealth. In the High Court, Mwansa successfully explained the acquisition of his Kamwala house and pistol, but the New Kasama property raised red flags. Unable to justify its purchase, the court declared it

Lusaka, 2025 – A Zambia Air Force (ZAF) officer accused of having unlawful carnal knowledge of his biological daughter has been denied bail by the court. The accused, whose identity has been withheld to protect the child victim, appeared before the court today for plea-taking. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. Following the plea, the defence applied for bail, but the State strongly objected this application, citing the risk of interference with witnesses and the severity of the crime seeing as the victim resides within the same household as the Accused person. Upon reviewing the submissions from both sides, the Honourable Magistrate ruled in favour of the Prosecution, denying the accused’s bail application. The court emphasised the seriousness of the allegations and the need to protect the integrity of the ongoing proceedings before court. The matter has since been

The latest update in the ongoing forfeiture case involving Ms. Tasila Lungu’s K8 million ranch in Sinda District, Eastern Province, is that the Court of Appeal has granted a conditional stay of execution of the judgment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Court (EFCC). The Court of Appeal is yet to hear the substantive appeal filed by Ms. Lungu, who is challenging the forfeiture ruling. On September 17, 2024, the EFCC ordered the forfeiture of the Sinda property to the State, following findings of unexplained wealth. Investigations had revealed a significant disparity between the value of the ranch and Ms. Lungu’s known legitimate sources of income. Dissatisfied with the ruling, Ms. Lungu filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal, contesting the EFCC’s decision. Awaiting the hearing and determination of her appeal, Ms. Lungu applied to the Court of Appeal

The Kasama High Court Criminal Sessions 2025 officially commenced on Monday, 6th January 2025, at the Kasama High Court.The ceremony was opened by Hon. Justice Matthews Zulu Resident Judge at the Kasama High Court. This year’s sessions are themed “Exploring and Employing Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms in Criminal Cases as a Tool to Counter Delays in the Delivery of Justice.”The Guest of Honor, The Learned Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, S.C., was in attendance and urged the importance of exploring and employing alternative dispute resolution in our legal system. ADR in criminal cases mainly takes the form of Plea Negotiations and agreements otherwise known as Plea Bargaining. He also pointed out that overcrowding in detention facilities is a troubling reality and courts are burdened by heavy caseloads hence the need for plea bargaining. He directed Prosecutors to

On December 23, 2024, Wildlife Crime Prevention (WCP) reaffirmed its commitment to fostering effective collaboration with the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) by donating essential office supplies to the Livingstone Office. This generous gesture underscores the shared mission of both institutions in combating wildlife crimes and supporting the administration of justice. The donation, presented by WCP’s Legal Officer, Mr. Edward Banda, included a desktop computer, three 76A HP toners, reams of paper, plain folders, and an assortment of pens. Mr. Banda highlighted the strong partnership between WCP and the NPA Livingstone Office, noting that the donation aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the office’s operations. Receiving the donation on behalf of the NPA, Southern Province Director, Deputy Chief State Advocate, Mr. Katongo Waluzimba, expressed profound gratitude for the continued support. He emphasized the critical role of such contributions in

This was an appeal ((Appeal No.276/2012)) against a non-conviction forfeiture order given by the High Court of Zambia in respect of Lot. Number17922/M, in Lusaka which was ordered to be forfeited to the state. The State had argued that the fact that the appellant had failed to provide a legitimate source of income, accounting for the property, meant that the property was a proceed of crime falling within the meaning of the proceeds of crime as articulated in the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010. The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal on the grounds that the High Court “occupied itself with whether the appellant, having regard to his income or earnings Was capable of procuring the property in question.” The Court of Appeal deemed this consideration irrelevant in terms of non-conviction-based forfeiture orders.In the Court

From 16th to 20th December, 2024, the Inter-Agency Coordination and Cooperation Framework, with support from the International Centre for Asset Recovery (Basel Institute on Governance) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), hosted a workshop at Protea Hotel Safari Lodge in Chisamba. This workshop convened representatives from eight critical institutions – namely, the National Prosecution Authority, the Drug Enforcement Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Office of the President – Special Division, the Zambia Revenue Authority, the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Accountant General’s Office, and the Bank of Zambia – to collaboratively draft a National Policy on the Recovery and Management of Assets in Zambia. The workshop’s primary objective was to develop a National Policy on the Recovery and Management of Assets. This marks a historic milestone, as Zambia currently has no such unified framework in place. For

The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) marked the end of 2024 with the first ever DPP’s End-of-Year Awards, a celebration of dedication, innovation, and excellence. Attended by senior management and staff, the event highlighted the institution’s milestones and recognised exceptional contributions to its mission. In her opening remarks, the Chief State Advocate, on behalf of DPP Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri SC, applauded staff for their commitment to delivering quality prosecution services despite challenges such as load shedding and resource constraints. She highlighted notable successes, including advancements in Asset Recovery, reduced case backlogs, and the introduction of key policy documents such as the Prosecutors’ Manual, Code of Conduct, and Strategic Plan. The awards honoured two teams for their remarkable achievements: As the NPA looks ahead to 2025, the awards serve as proof to the institution’s commitment to excellence and its resolve to

The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) is proud to announce that distinguished Public Prosecutors: Joe Phiri; Job Simango; Sikota Mumbula; Salome Tembo; and Malama Chisenga, have been elevated to the esteemed rank of Advocates of the High Court for Zambia (AHCZ). This achievement recognizes their exceptional hard work and resolience in surmounting the Bar Exams. The NPA congratulates Joe, Job, Sikota, Salome, and Malama on this outstanding achievement and wishes them continued success in their careers. Their dedication to the law and the criminal justice sector in particular is truly inspiring, and we have no doubt that they will continue to make a positive impact in the years to come. It is our hope that the stories of these fantastic five serve as an inspiration to everyone contending with admission to the Zambian Bar, to continue in the quest to join

The Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Southern Africa (ARINSA) convened its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) from December 4-6 in Kasane, Botswana, under the theme “Strengthening Regional Collaboration for Effective Asset Recovery.”  This was held on the sidelines of the Southern Africa Heads of Prosecution (SAHOP) Forum first ever in person inaugural meeting! This highly anticipated gathering was co-hosted by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Celebrating 15 years of impactful contributions to combating illicit financial flows and promoting justice, the event brought together representatives from 17 member countries in the southern African region. Since its inception in 2009, ARINSA has grown from just two dedicated asset forfeiture units to 16 specialised offices across the region in 2024. This growth was a focal point of