The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) has continued its commitment to supporting child witnesses and victims with the launch of its second child-friendly interview room, this time in Livingstone. This specially designed space provides a safe, welcoming, non-intimidating and comforting environment for children to share their stories and prepare for trial. The first room, launched in Kasama, has already made a profound impact, and the Livingstone room is set to do the same for the southern region of Zambia. The interview room designed to put children at ease, with an array of toys, books, and engaging activities to help them feel comfortable and build trust with NPA prosecutors. By prioritising the needs of young victims and witnesses, the NPA is revolutionising the way justice is served, one child-friendly room at a time! Strategically located in Livingstone, it ensures that children in

In a landmark legal development, a panel of three Economic and Financial Crimes Court Judges, has delivered a judgment in favour of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), resulting in the forfeiture of properties belonging to Chiyeso Lungu, daughter of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. The case, centred on allegations of illicit property acquisition, unfolded with careful legal arguments from both sides. The DPP asserted that two properties, Stand No. L/9390 and Plot No. LUSAK/LN-79093/1, were suspected to be proceeds of crime, valued at K9,375,438.62 and situated in State Lodge. Chiyeso Lungu, a legal practitioner, contended that the properties were acquired legitimately using funds provided by her parents, Edgar and Esther Lungu. During the proceedings, Chiyeso Lungu emphasised that there was no law barring ownership of property exceeding known income levels. However, the court scrutinised the evidence presented, focusing on

In a notable legal development, a panel of three court of appeal judges comprising of the judge president and vice president have ruled in favour of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in a Non-Conviction Based Forfeiture case concerning properties linked to former First Lady Esther Nyawa Tembo Lungu. The DPP had filed an application seeking forfeiture of Property Number 9334/1, 9334/2, 9334/3, and 9334/4, comprising 15 Double Storey Flats in State Lodge, through a non-conviction-based process. The legal proceedings commenced on June 13, 2023, and were marked by legal complexities, including challenges related to jurisdiction and evidence compliance. Esther Nyawa Tembo Lungu, the interested party in this case, sought to halt the proceedings in the lower Court pending an appeal. However, the Court, after thorough deliberation, declined the application for a stay of proceedings. The Court’s decision centred on

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Gilbert A. Phiri paid a courtesy call on the head of the International Organisation for Migration in Zambia ,Ms Keisha Livermore The two heads of institutions , together with their respective teams delved into the issue of enhancing co-operation in the fight against human trafficking and gender based violence.It was agreed by both parties that the visit was timely as there was room for further collaboration in this field.

In a compelling legal narrative that has captured national attention former judge of the Mongu High Court, Wilfred Muma on the 25th March, 2024, pleaded not guilty to charges of willful failure to comply with legal procedures during his tenure as Commissioner of Lands. The allegations, originating from the Lands and Deeds Registry Act, have thrust Muma into the spotlight, leading to his appearance before a panel of three judges at the Lusaka High Court. The crux of the matter revolves around accusations that Muma, in his capacity as Commissioner of Lands, orchestrated the cancellation of a certificate of title for a public property located in the heart of Lusaka, spanning a critical period between April 01 and December 31, 2018. This legal entanglement has not only piqued the interest of legal scholars and practitioners but has also sparked intense

Chali Mbewe-Hambayi the head of the Gender Based Crimes Department at the National Prosecution Authority, chaired a significant side event during the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The side event was under   the theme “The Impact of the Coaching Boys in to Men Programme ” which is a collaborative initiative between the Zambia Centre for Communication Programmes and the government of Zambia. This programme aims to address harmful gender norms prevalent among boys which undermine the quest for gender equality and empowerment for women and girls.  The program seeks to instill positive masculinity and promote non-violent conflict resolution methods. By engaging boys at an early age, the programme aims to cultivate a generation of men who actively support gender equality and reject gender-based violence. It is recognised

DPP Emerges Victorious in Forfeiture Case Against Tasila Lungu. In a significant legal victory, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) emerged victorious in a Non-Conviction Based Forfeiture case against Tasila Lungu, daughter of Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. The court’s ruling on the 19th of March, 2024, reaffirmed the DPP’s legal jurisdiction and upheld the integrity of the legal process. The genesis of this legal discourse traces back to the initiation of Non-Conviction Based Forfeiture proceedings by the DPP, represented as the Applicant. Supported by an affidavit sworn by senior investigations officer Emmanuel Khondowe of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), the DPP unveiled a stark contrast between Tasila Lungu’s declared income and amassed assets. Emmanuel Khondowe’s affidavit presented a concise analysis of Tasila Lungu’s financial landscape, spanning her earnings as a Councilor in Kanyama constituency from 2016 to 2021. The

The Global Forum for Asset Recovery (GFAR) is a platform organised by Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) that empowers investigators and prosecutors responsible for identifying and tracing assets. It facilitates necessary cooperation with financial centres to recover and return assets. Star, a partnership between the World Bank and the United Nations Office on Drugs, was established in 2007 to support countries in implementing Chapter V of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). StAR actively engages with ongoing cases, provides capacity building and technical assistance to countries, and participates in global conferences related to asset recovery. In September 2023, Zambia became a focus country in GFAR during a meeting in Vienna, featuring eight bilateral engagements with jurisdictions of interest. These interactions continued at the tenth session of the Conference of the States Parties (COSP) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption,

Atlanta, Dec. 12, 2023. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Conference of State Parties (CoSP) is the main policymaking body established pursuant to article 63 of the (UNCAC). The Conference aims at improving the capacity of and cooperation between States Parties, to achieve the objectives set forth in the Convention and to promote and review its implementation.   The tenth session of the CoSP is currently taking place in Atlanta, USA, commemorating the momentous occasion of the 20th anniversary of the UNCAC and shaping a collective vision for the future of our anti-corruption efforts.  The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Gilbert A. Phiri S. C. is leading the Zambian delegation at the five-day conference scheduled from December 11th to December 15th, 2023. The agenda for the tenth session is expected to focus on key issues such as, the review