Lusaka – June, 2025 Should a child ever be sent to jail in Zambia? That complex legal question is now headed to the Supreme Court. In a ruling handed down on 5th June 2025, the Court of Appeal granted the State leave to appeal a decision that has reopened debate on what sentencing options remain available when a child commits a serious offence. Does the Children’s Code Act entirely exclude imprisonment as a sentencing option for children, even in grave cases? The appeal, brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions, centres on the interpretation of the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022, Zambia’s comprehensive “new” law aimed at aligning juvenile justice with child rights norms. Chilling Facts Behind the Case The case at the heart of the legal discussion is The People v. Abraham Phiri, involving a 17-year-old boy

Case overview Wellington Simwanza and Queen Namfukwe, the accused persons in this matter stood charged with the offence of Theft contrary to Section 272 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia. The duo appeared in the Mkushi subordinate court. It was alleged that on unknown dates but between the month of July, 2024 and 10th September, 2024, the accused persons, jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown, did steal K198,770.20 the property of Nafika Multi purpose cooperative. Legal proceedings The accused persons pleaded not guilty before Hon. Simanya and the matter proceeded to trial and after trial they were found guilty as charged. Among the witnesses who testified was Yvon Mambwe, the complainant in the matter who narrated to the court that in the month she cannot remember but in the year 2022, a

The accused persons: Mayunyi Mwenda, Liswaniso Walubita, and Mbololwa Mutemwa, stood charged with three counts of possession of protected Trophy contrary to Section 130 (1) of the Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015 of the Laws of Zambia and one count of being in possession of Government Trophy contrary to Section 129 (1) of the Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015 of the Laws of Zambia. Brief facts are that on the 17th day of August, 2024 in the Senanga District of the Western Province, Mayunyi Mwenda, a Peasant farmer, was found in possession of 2 Kilograms of Hippo Meat and 2 Kilograms of Otter Meat without a certificate of ownership from the Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). Upon interrogation by officers from DNPW, who apprehended him, he disclosed that he obtained the said

Man convicted for defiling daughter On Tuesday, the 27th of May, 2025, AB was found guilty of Incest contrary to Section 159(1) of the Penal Code by Resident Magistrate Honourable C. Hampungani.  Due to the provisions of the Children’s Code Act, the name of the Convicted person has not been divulged as doing so would lead to the identity of the child victim being known, which is against the law. Sometime in April 2023, the child victim, aged only 12 years old at the time, was at home with her siblings when the Convict arrived and sent her siblings away to a nearby shop to buy snacks. This left the Convict and the child victim alone in the house, thereby according him the opportunity to have sexual intercourse with his biological daughter. After the ordeal, the child victim noted that

For most people, retirement is something they know is coming but few ever feel truly ready for. At the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), that reality is changing. In a groundbreaking move, the NPA has introduced a Pre-Retirement Preparedness Program aimed at helping employees plan for life beyond the office, not just financially, but emotionally, socially, and mentally. This initiative is not about winding down; it’s about gearing up for a meaningful next chapter. The first group to benefit from this thoughtful intervention was a cohort of 20 officers aged 53 and 54, drawn from various provinces including Lusaka, Western, Copperbelt, Luapula, Central, North-Western, and Southern. These officers are due to retire in 2026 and 2027, but for once, the transition will not come as a shock. Working closely with Future Search, a division under the Public Service Management Division (PSMD),

MAN CONVICTED FOR DEFILING 13-YEAR OLD GIRL On Friday, 16th May, 2025, Santini Chilenga was convicted by Resident Magistrate Honourable C. Hampungani for the offence of Defilement and has since been referred to the High Court for sentencing. Brief facts of the matter are that on the fateful day, the child victim aged, only 13years, accompanied her elder sister aged 16 years, to go and meet the Convict at his residence in Banda Masautso, located within Old Kanyama Compound. While at the house, the Convict, a 29 year old, requested to have sexual relations with the victims 16 year old sister ’, who declined this inappropriate request. After her refusal, the Convict took the 16 year old girl with him to a nearby store and later left her by the roadside and went back to his place of residence where

Today, 15th May, 2025 – One Love Radio hosted a thought-provoking discussion on the alarming rise of child sexual abuse in Zambia. The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) joined forces with World Vision International to shed light on this critical issue. World Vision’s Child Protection Specialist, Mr. Potipher Zulu and legal manager Mrs. Kasale were joined by Mrs. Chali Mbewe Hambayi, Director of Gender-Based Crimes and Child Protection at NPA. The panel shared valuable insights on the legal framework protecting children. Mrs Chali Mbewe-Hambayi emphasised the importance of reporting cases and bringing perpetrators to justice. The program serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our children. By reporting cases and supporting those affected, we can work together to create a safer environment for Zambia’s youth. Want to hear more? Click the link below to

ATTORNEY General Mulilo Kabesha and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri are in Dublin, Ireland, on a technical visit under the Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) programme – access to justice in Zambia. The high-profile Zambian legal delegation also has Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) director-general Daphne Chabu and Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) director-general Nason Banda. The visit of the delegation is supported by the Irish Embassy in Zambia and seeks to facilitate an exchange of knowledge and best practices in tackling economic and financial crimes, particularly asset recovery from proceeds of crime. Source: Zambia Daily Mail Facebook Page

TEACHER FOUND GUILTY OF DEFILING PUPIL Mubu Sitali was on Friday, the 9th of May, 2025 found guilty of the offence of Defilement contrary to section 138(1) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia. The 31 year old primary school teacher of a named school in Limilunga District of the Western Province was on the material day the 23rd of October 2024, preparing for Independence day celebrations with his pupils. At about 23.00hours he sent one of his pupils, a 13 year old girl to his house instructing her to take his groceries.The said house was very close to the school and the child victim quickly got there. Unbeknownst to her, the convict followed her. On her way back to the classroom, the convict waylaid her and pulled her behind the toilets and committed the heinous

Man Accused of Sexually Abusing Daughter in Hospital Pleads Not GuiltyToday, 9th May, 2025, at the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court, a man alleged to have sexually abused his daughter while she was undergoing treatment for cancer in hospital has taken plea. It is alleged that between the 20th day of September, 2024 and the 11th day of March, 2025, the said man at Lusaka had carnal knowledge of a child, who to his knowledge was his biological daughteAppearing before the Resident Magistrate, Honourable K. Mwamfuli, the accused entered a plea of not guilty to the charge brought against him. The case, which has attracted public concern due to its disturbing nature, is scheduled to commence trial on the 9th and 10th days of June, 2025.Due to the provisions of the Children’s Code Act No. 12, the identity of the Accused cannot