Mpika | January 2026 – Can a drug cartridge, medical records, and a neighbour’s word secure a conviction? On February 9, 2026, the Mpika Subordinate Court will decide, delivering a much anticipated ruling on the NPA’s “victimless prosecution” strategy in a case where the victim disappeared and her family sought to withdraw charges. The case directly mirrors the recent directive of the learned Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri SC, who has declared a zero-tolerance stance on the withdrawal of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases, emphasising evidence-based prosecutions that proceed even without victim testimony. Violet Katongo and Dorcus Chikwanda face one count of supplying drugs to procure an abortion, contrary to Section 153 of the Penal Code, chapter 87 of the Laws, in a matter being heard before Honourable Magistrate Andrew Longa Kasongo. The State alleges that the

Lusaka | January 28, 2026 – The Lusaka Magistrate’s Court has convicted and fined businessman Harry Findlay a total of ZMW 240,000 for two separate immigration-related offences flatly rejecting his legal team’s fervent plea for acquittal in a high-profile immigration fraud case. Findlay faces four (4) and six (6) months simple imprisonment respectively should he fail to pay the fine.The first charge was for Holding more than one passport, contrary to Section 22(1) as read together with Section 22(2) of the Passport Act of Zambia, specifically acquiring passport ZP021382 on March 14, 2014, after claiming to have lost passport ZP013259.The second, more severe charge, possessing a passport with a forged Mwami Border Control immigration endorsement dated October 3, 2022. This offence contravenes Section 52(4)(e) as read together with Section 56(1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010.Throughout

Lusaka | January, 2026 – The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) commenced the new year with a week-long, focused and forward-looking Senior Management meeting held at the Road Transport and Safety Agency training Centre in Avondale, Lusaka. This first quarterly gathering of 2026 served a dual purpose which is to conduct a comprehensive review of the performance and achievements of the final quarter of 2025 and to strategically plan and prioritise key objectives for the year ahead. Presided over by the learned Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, the meeting brought together the Authority’s core leadership, including Deputy Chief State Advocates and Principal State Advocates from all the provinces and specialised departments as well as managers of units within the NPA. The agenda reflected a commitment to the continued strengthening of prosecutorial systems through accountability, operational excellence, and

Lusaka | January 23, 2026 – The state closed its case in the John Nundwe trial yesterday with a final witness whose testimony aimed to dismantle deep-seated societal myths about sexual assault victims. Dr. Naeem Dalal, a mental health specialist, provided the court with a scientific explanation for a victim’s potential lack of physical resistance, a point often scrutinised in such cases. Dr. Dalal informed the court that the common assumption that a victim will always fight back is medically unfounded. He detailed the three instinctive, biological responses to extreme trauma: fight, flight, or freeze. His testimony focused extensively on the freeze response, describing a specific phenomenon known as tonic immobility. This involuntary state, he explained, is a primal survival mechanism where the body becomes paralyzed, essentially playing dead in the face of an overwhelming threat. The psychiatrist further clarified

Ndola | January 19, 2026 – A major tax fraud scheme has been dismantled in court, resulting in a multimillion-kwacha recovery order for the state. The Economic and Financial Crimes Court in Ndola has convicted United Chemicals Zambia Limited (UCZ) for fabricating a K19 million export operation to evade taxes. Court records show the company systematically filed false documents with the Zambia Revenue Authority between July 2022 and March 2023. The documents falsely declared that multiple consignments of cooking oil were exported by road to the Democratic Republic of Congo. This fabricated export narrative was designed to fraudulently claim zero-rated VAT status on over K19.1 million in sales, illegally depriving the treasury of K10.7 million. When confronted with the evidence, UCZ entered a guilty plea to eight counts of Furnishing False Returns and Statements before Honorable Tamara Kakusa on January

Lusaka | January 15, 2026 – The High Court has granted an adjournment in the closely watched case of The People v Joseph Chishimba until late March, following a significant and last-minute change in the defence strategy. Joseph Chishimba, 49, was scheduled to open his defence today, January 15, 2026, on a charge of Harassment utilising means of electronic communication, contrary to Section 69 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021. During the hearing, defence counsel Mr. Kelvin Bwalya Fube applied for an adjournment, informing the court of “fresh instructions” from the accused. This marked a significant tactical change from the defence’s previous declaration that Mr. Chishimba would remain silent. Counsel stated the accused would now give sworn testimony and call four witnesses, necessitating time for preparation. The State, represented by prosecutor Ms. Mildred Muchimba

Lusaka | January 13, 2026 – In a ceremony that decisively set the judicial agenda for the year, the High Court of Zambia officially opened its 2026 Criminal Sessions yesterday, placing historic emphasis on transforming criminal litigation through structured Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).Held under the theme “Consolidating the Call for Proper Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution Through Plea Bargaining,” the event brought together top judges, the Justice Minister, and legal stakeholders. The message was unmistakable: 2026 will be the year Zambia’s criminal justice system embraces modern tools to ensure no one remains trapped in the shadows of delay.Setting a tone of reflective candour, Deputy Chief Justice Michael Musonda, SC, did not mince words. He highlighted a critical gap that has persisted for over 60 years: the lack of national sentencing guidelines.“We are way, way behind. Much smaller jurisdictions around us

Mumbwa | January, 7, 2026 – Zambia’s commitment to the protection of its wildlife resources was indorsed by the Mumbwa Magistrates’ Court, which has sentenced a local man to five years’ imprisonment for the unlawful possession of protected game meat.The court found Shaderick Shikabondo guilty of possessing 31 kilograms of Kafue Lechwe meat without lawful authority, contrary to the provisions of the Wildlife Act. The offence came to light following a tip-off received by wildlife officers, who subsequently obtained a search warrant and conducted a lawful search at the convict’s residence. The search led to the recovery of the illegally butchered meat, for which Shikabondo failed to produce any permit or certificate.In mitigation, the convict pleaded for leniency. However, Magistrate A. Walusiku emphasised the seriousness of wildlife-related offences and the broader implications they carry for the nation. The court noted

Kitwe | December 27, 2025 – A Kitwe subordinate court, on December 22, 2025, convicted an adult woman on two counts of defilement involving male children under the age of sixteen, sending a strong message that boys are also at risk of defilement and sexual abuse. The accused, who shared a bedroom with one of the victims, was found guilty after evidence conclusively proved she had unlawfully carnally known two boys, manipulating and exploiting them over time. The prosecution was led by Senior Public Prosecutor K. K. Kapepa of the National Prosecution Authority, Kitwe office, who presented evidence establishing all essential elements of the offences, while meticulously upholding protocols to safeguard the child victims’ anonymity. All details that could reveal the children’s identities have been withheld, in line with child protection laws and the best interests of the victims. Evidence

Chingola | December 22, 2025 – In the latest development in the case of 34 individuals charged with terrorism in connection with the November 8, 2025 stone-throwing attack on President Hakainde Hichilema in Chingola, the Chingola Subordinate Court today granted bail to nine children in conflict with the law. The nine children have each been granted bail of K10,000 on their own recognizance, secured by two sureties in the same amount. One surety must be a parent or legal guardian, and the other must be a person employed by a reputable organisation. This means that after the children fulfil the bail conditions, they will be released without paying money to the court upfront, on the formal promise that they will attend all court hearings and comply with bail conditions. Each child is required to have two sureties in the same