When Honourable Minister of Justice, Princess Kasune, visited the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) on 2nd July 2025, it was far more than a ceremonial appearance at the inauguration of the newly appointed Board. It marked the fulfilment of a quiet, personal commitment made at the very outset of her tenure. Appointed on 28th June 2024, the Minister was soon approached by the learned Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC, with a singular and pressing appeal: to prioritise the appointment of a governing Board for the Authority. Made  in measured tones, the request struck a chord. “I promised him,” she recalled, “I said I will work on it.” Reflecting on the moment, she added, “I told myself, if I was to do just one thing for the NPA, it would be this. And here we are – just one year into my office.” Her first official visit to the NPA, therefore, was not only historic – it was

Lusaka, Zambia | 02.07.2025 – The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) has officially ushered in its newly inaugurated Board, ending a four-year hiatus in statutory governance and setting the tone for a well-structured, accountable, and forward-moving institution. The inauguration, held in Lusaka at the NPA Head Office, marked what the learned Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri SC, described as a critical moment for the Authority’s internal governance, institutional resilience, and prosecutorial strategy. “Today’s inauguration means we can begin to take even more giant steps as outlined in our strategic plan,” said the DPP, noting that while the absence of a board had not compromised the constitutional independence of the Office of the DPP, it had delayed crucial internal systems essential for sustainable institutional performance.He highlighted the Authority’s continued commitment to prosecutorial excellence, highlighting key priorities such as financial crimes, asset recovery, and inter-agency collaboration: “We are resolved to take profit out of crime. There are no sacred

The Economic and Financial Crimes Division of the High Court has dismissed former Deputy Inspector-General of Police Charity Katanga’s appeal, upholding her February 2024 conviction, three-year sentence, and forfeiture of assets to the State. She is expected to begin serving her sentence today, with further details to follow. CASE RECAPConviction & Sentence (Feb 19, 2024)-Katanga was found guilty of possessing ten Higer buses valued at over K26 million which were deemed to be proceeds of crime under the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act. She was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment . ASSET FORFEITURE (Jul 2, 2024)Following her conviction, the Lusaka Subordinate Court ordered the forfeiture of the ten buses and K1,522,005.15 from her Chibeka Express Ltd account to the State, confirming these assets as tainted . APPEAL THROWN-OUT –The High Court has now dismissed her appeal, fully sustaining the original conviction, sentence, and forfeiture orders. Katanga will begin serving her three-year sentence as of today. BACKGROUNDBetween 2017 and 2022, Katanga used

The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) has been recognised under the category of Best Legal and Structural Reforms during this year’s Africa Public Service Day commemorations. At the provincial celebrations held in Chipata, the Eastern Province team proudly held up the trophy on behalf of the institution – a gesture that captured both the spirit of the day and the nationwide efforts behind the award. In Mongu, the *Western Province NPA team also scooped the award, joining in the collective recognition of the Authority’s reforms across the country. This honour reflects the NPA’s continued strides in strengthening prosecutorial systems and legal frameworks – work that aligns closely with the 2025 Africa Public Service Day theme:“Enhancing agility and resilience in public institutions to bridge historical gaps and deliver for all.” From headquarters to the provinces, this award belongs to every officer whose dedication is shaping a more responsive and resilient justice system.

Livingstone, Zambia |June 2025In a speech that struck deep at the heart of criminal justice systems across the region, Zambia’s Learned Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, S.C., has issued a bold call to arms: the justice system must be rebuilt, not just reformed, to centre the victim and dismantle the barriers that silence them. Opening the second in-person Annual General Meeting of the Southern Africa Heads of Prosecution (SAHOP), Mr. Phiri challenged his counterparts from 16 SADC countries to do more than convene – to reimagine. Held under the theme, “Innovative Criminal Justice Practices – Strengthening Regional Collaboration to Combat Gender-Based Violence,” the meeting confronts one of the region’s most urgent and devastating crises. “We cannot pretend the current system was designed with vulnerable women and girls in mind,” Mr. Phiri declared. “It’s time to flip the script. When victims speak, we must not only listen , we must act.”His remarks were grounded in a sobering reality

This Is the Moment – Zambian Government Urges Southern Africa’s Heads of Prosecution to Lead the Charge Against Gender-Based ViolenceA Survivor’s Voice at the Forefront – Minister Mwamba Shares Her Story to Inspire Prosecutorial Action Livingstone, Zambia | June 2025 Moments after Honourable Madam Justice Catherine Lombe Phiri delivered her opening remarks and eloquently set the stage for urgent and collaborative action, she invited the Guest of Honour, Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Honourable Doreen Mwamba, MP, to address the Forum. What followed was a powerful and deeply personal speech, one that moved the room and redefined the tone of the gathering. In a message that was both impassioned and purposeful, Minister Mwamba issued a stirring appeal to the region’s heads of prosecution – This is the moment. Stand up. Take action. Cement your commitment. But it was not only the clarity of her call that struck a chord – it was the courage of her candour. With

From the 16th to 17th   of June 2025, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC, conducted a working tour of Namwala and Sinazongwe Districts in Southern Province. He was accompanied by two officials from the NPA namely: Mr. Matumo Mululu Acting Principal State Advocate – Choma and Ms. Naomi Tembo Executive Officer – Livingstone. The DPP’s visit aimed at; assessing the state of criminal justice delivery mechanisms in the two districts, addressing institutional challenges, and strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Judiciary, Law Enforcement Agencies and district leadership. During the tour, the DPP addressed critical issues such as the rise in of Gender-Based Violence and organised stock theft in the Province. He also had the opportunity to meet with the Police Command and the Courts in Choma, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and effectiveness in justice delivery. He called for enhanced investigation capacity, inter-district cooperation, and community involvement in combating crime. He firmly discouraged the

Lusaka | Tuesday, 17 June 2025 – The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has today filed an application before the Economic and Financial Crimes Division of the High Court, seeking the non-conviction based forfeiture of US$2,320,000.00, seven gold bars, and a Toyota Rush vehicle suspected to be proceeds and instruments of crime.The application follows the April 18 arrest of 27-year-old Indian national Aamir Soeb Patel, who was intercepted at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) while allegedly attempting to smuggle the cash and gold out of the country aboard a flight to Dubai. Acting on intelligence, a joint operations team, comprising officers from the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and other state security agencies, moved in swiftly, seizing the concealed items moments before departure.According to the affidavit sworn in support of the application by Drug Enforcement Commission Investigator, Ms. Yvonne Bwalya Mulenga, the seized cash, bundled in neat stacks of US dollars, was carefully concealed alongside seven gleaming gold bars, with an

The Chief State Advocate played an active role in the deliberations of the Conference by participating in a high level panel discussion on: Strengthening   Cross Border Co-operation by Enhancing Capacity Building Initiatives and Reinforcing Networks among Prosecutors across the Commonwealth. Other esteemed panelists included Hon Todd Fuller KC- Director of Public Prosecutions Queensland Australia and Hon Madeline Laracy Deputy Solicitor General of New Zealand. This high level session, was chaired by the Hon Abubacker Mohammed, Director of Public Prosecutions Nigeria.

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 convicted of murder and aggravated robbery. The incident took place in January 2022 in Chamanika Village, Petauke District, where the