Lusaka, Zambia –Magistrate Sylvia Munyinya has upheld the highest standards of judicial integrity by dismissing Dan Pule’s recusal bid, despite allegations of tribal bias. The court’s ruling reaffirms the judiciary’s commitment to impartiality and justice in Zambia. Pule, the controversial spiritual leader of the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA), had sought to remove Magistrate Munyinya from his seditious case, citing apprehensions of unfair trial due to her ethnic background. However, the magistrate’s firm stand demonstrates the judiciary’s resolute commitment to judicial integrity, even in the face of bias allegations. Magistrate Munyinya’s ruling highlighted the importance of substantiating allegations of bias with convincing evidence, rather than mere suspicions or apprehensions. She stated, “Recusal is a crucial ethical responsibility that a judicial officer must consider carefully, as Section 6 of the Penal Code sets the standards for judicial officers.” The magistrate’s decision to

Lusaka, Zambia, 23.06.2024 – The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) made a notable impact at the 2024 Africa Public Service Day, securing 2nd place in the highly regarded Service Excellence Awards. This recognition, under the category, “Most Transformed and Innovative Institution,” underscores the NPA’s dedication to modernizing their tools to enhance their operations and in the process also enhance their delivery of prosecution services. Held at East Park Mall in Lusaka, the event’s theme was “Empowering a Citizen-Centric Public Service for an Inclusive and Thriving 21st Century Africa: A Journey of Lifelong Learning and Technological Transformation.” Within this vibrant setting, the NPA’s achievements captured significant attention, marking a crucial moment in their ongoing evolution. The NPA’s success was prominently displayed through their engaging participation at the event. Their booth, adorned in signature blue, attracted a steady stream of visitors eager to

The trial of Lumezi MP Munir Zulu took an unexpected turn yesterday as defence Counsel Macqueen Zaza alleged duplicity in the charges. Munir Zulu, 36, is facing three counts of seditious practices. When the case came up for plea and commencement of trial before Lusaka magistrate Faides Hamaundu, Zaza raised a preliminary issue, submitting that the charge has three counts, all stemming from section 57(1)(b) of the Penal Code as read with section 60. Zaza pointed out that counts one and three charge the accused under section 60(1)(e), while count two charges him under section 60(1)(f), all stemming from the same incident on May 26, 2024, at Cresta Lodge in Lusaka’s Ibex Hill. However, Senior State Advocate Susan Mwamba Besa responded that the indictment is not barred for duplicity, citing the principle of joinder of counts in section 135 of

Lusaka, Zambia – Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri has hailed the recent amendment to the Marriage Act as a significant step forward in the fight against child marriage in Zambia. Speaking at a dialogue on joint action to create awareness of the minimum age of marriage, DPP Phiri emphasised the gravity of child marriage, citing alarming statistics from UNFPA and UNICEF. The amendment, enacted in December 2023, categorically prohibits child marriages under both customary and statutory law, nullifying the previous provision allowing marriage of children as young as 15. This change harmonises the legal age of marriage with Zambia’s constitutional definition of a child as anyone under 18. DPP Phiri noted that prior to this amendment, Zambia’s legal landscape was fraught with inconsistencies, including a loophole allowing child marriages under customary rites. He highlighted the landmark case of

In a dramatic turn of events, the highly anticipated trial of Christian Democratic Party president Danny Pule failed to commence today as expected. Pule faces charges of Seditious Practices. The prosecution was poised to present its case, but Pule’s legal team raised a preliminary issue, alleging bias on the part of the court due to its connection to the Zambezi region, which is at the centre of the alleged charge. According to an affidavit filed in support of the preliminary issue raised, the deponent, Mr. Danny Pule, states that: “Records before this honourable Court will show that I have been charged with an Offence of Seditious practices… The particulars of the Offence are that it is alleged that I uttered seditious words to promote feelings of ill will or hostility between different communities or different parts of a community.” He

In a significant development, 20 Chinese nationals and one Cameroonian have been convicted for their involvement in a sophisticated cyber crime operation run under the guise of Golden Top Support Services Limited. The convicted individuals faced charges under the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021 and the Information and Communication Technologies Act No. 15 of 2009. Their offences included computer-related misrepresentation, identity-related crimes, and operating an unlicenced network. The investigation commenced on April 5, 2024, when officers from the Drug Enforcement Commission were alerted to suspicious activities occurring at Golden Top Support Services Limited in Kalundu. Acting on this intelligence, officers conducted a search of the premises, leading to the seizure of 135 personal computers, 1 laptop, a Toyota Alphard, 37,000 SIM cards, an iPad, 2 pistols with 73 rounds of ammunition, ZMW 13,143.00, $20.00, 17,000

Justice Served in High-Profile Embezzlement Scheme – Court Recognises Victim in Forfeiture Judgment. In a significant victory for the National Prosecution Authority, the Economic and Financial Crimes Court (EFCC) has delivered a judgment in the Ngucha case, ordering the forfeiture of assets worth millions of Kwacha to the State. The case involved a sophisticated embezzlement scheme that took place between January 1 and December 31, 2019, in which a staggering K7,755,472.32 was stolen through fictitious credit transactions. The managers of various service stations masterminded the scheme, using their positions to create fictitious credit transactions, deposit less cash sales from the purported transactions, and steal the difference. The Interested Parties were identified as: The said interested parties were found to have engaged in the criminal activity and were charged with: The court ordered the forfeiture of the assets, citing overwhelming evidence

Vienna, Austria, 16/05/25 – In a landmark presentation at the 33rd Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Zambia’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri SC, unveiled the transnational dimensions of illicit mining and its far-reaching implications for the country’s development. Illicit financial flows in Zambia’s mining sector, particularly in copper, have long been a thorn in the side of the government, with estimates suggesting a staggering $12.5 billion loss between 2013 and 2015 alone. The country’s rich copper reserves have driven economic growth, but the sector’s vulnerability to illicit activities has hindered progress. DPP Phiri’s paper, “Unveiling the Transnational Dimensions of Illicit Mining: Exploring Illicit Financial Flows in Zambia’s Mining Sector,” exposed the intricate web of mechanisms used to siphon funds, including transfer pricing manipulation, profit shifting, and false accounting. He highlighted the involvement

The NPA has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Zambia through innovative practices and collaborative efforts. Speaking at a side event hosted by the NPA and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) titled ‘Innovative Practices in Criminal Justice in the SADC Region’ at the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice – 33rd Session in Vienna, Austria, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri SC, highlighted the NPA’s strides in combating GBV. The DPP, accompanied by Senior State Advocates, Vivian Nsingo, Jacklyn Banda, and Samson Zulu, noted that GBV remains a pervasive problem in Zambia, with over a third of women experiencing physical violence and 47% of married women facing physical violence. Zambia also ranks 16th globally and third in the SADC region for child marriages, with 31% of girls married

FORMER PRESIDENTIAL AIDE AMOS CHANDA CONVICTED OF STEALING COURT RECORD Amos Chanda, former Special Assistant to 6th Republican President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, was convicted on charges of stealing and destroying a court record. The verdict was delivered on Friday, May 10th 2023, by Lusaka Senior Magistrate, Ireen Wishimanga, marking an end to a rather dramatic sequence of events.Chanda’s conviction stems from his act of stealing and destroying a court record between May 12, 2020, and October 1, 2022. The stolen record pertained to a case involving Chanda, alongside Walid El Nahas, who was former Intelligent Mobility Solutions (IMS) board chairman and Zindaba Soko, former RTSA chief executive officer. The trio faced 2 counts of Corrupt Practices with a Public Officer, contrary to Section 19 (2) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012, 2 counts of corrupt Practices by