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 that this frozen state can impact a victim’s memory of the traumatic event and may result in a lack of

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 19, 2026. The court’s sentencing, detailed in the judgment, went beyond a simple fine. Honorable Kakusa imposed a K40,000 penalty

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 of the National Prosecution Authority, objected to the application. Prosecutors submitted that procedural law requires an accused person who elects

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 have rolled out sentencing guidelines. This is a terrible indictment on our system,” he said.Justice Musonda framed the push for

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 that Zambia’s wildlife constitutes an irreplaceable national asset and an integral part of the country’s natural heritage, deserving of robust

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 presented in Court revealed that the offender used digital media to groom the children. She would routinely show them age-appropriate

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 amount, one of whom must be a parent or legal guardian and the other surety must be employed by a

Chingola | December 18, 2025 – The Chingola Subordinate Court has granted the National Prosecution Authority’s application to amend the indictment against 34 accused persons in the November 8. 2025 stone-throwing attack on President Hakainde Hichilema in Chingola. The amended charge sheet now formally includes the offence of Terrorism, which under Zambian law is non-bailable and carries a mandatory penalty of imprisonment for life upon conviction. This case stems from violence that broke out during President Hichilema’s public address to residents of Chiwempala, including those affected by a recent market fire. Members of the crowd became aggressive, hurling stones at the stage and the presidential entourage. Security personnel intervened immediately, escorting the President to safety, as the unrest escalated into widespread chaos marked by arson and extensive damage to public property. The accused persons who comprise 25 adults and nine children in conflict with the law, first appeared before the Chingola Subordinate Court on December 15, 2025, facing bailable charges

Chipata | December, 2025 – The global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence may have concluded, but for the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), the mission continues without pause. During the recent campaign, NPA officers across the nation engaged in a series of targeted activities, from community dialogues to inter-agency trainings, to strengthen Zambia’s response to GBV. Today, these efforts form part of the NPA’s ongoing, daily commitment to justice, survivor support, and prevention.The photographs released today capture key moments from the campaign, reflecting a proactive, collaborative approach:

Choma, Zambia December 10-As the 16 days of Gender Activism comes to a close, the National Prosecution Authority in Choma yesterday joined the Judiciary, Legal Aid Board, Drug Enforcement Commission and other stakeholders in a March- past within Choma town. The procession was from the Choma Central Police to the Subordinate Court premises.  The March-past was aimed at raising awareness around the 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence and as platform to continue the progressive conversation around issues of GBV. The occasion was graced by the High Court Judge in Charge Hon. Justice Catherine M. Lombe. With the theme for this year being “UNITE to End Digital Violence against Women and Girls”, Judge Lombe noted that the digital age had brought about a unique dimension to gender based violence, with women and girls facing violence on their phones, laptops and tablets. She noted that perpetrators were of this vice were hiding behind the screen and there was need