Cape Town, South Africa | November 2025 – The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) is currently participating in a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Regional Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. The meeting, themed, “Regional Reflection and Knowledge Exchange,” is supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The conference aims to highlight key achievements in GBV justice and create a platform for Southern African nations to share successful methodologies, lessons learned, and innovative practices for replication across the region.
Representing the NPA and Zambia at the conference are two key specialists from the Authority’s Gender Based Crimes and Child Protection Department – Mrs. Chali Mbewe-Hambayi, Deputy Chief State Advocate, and Mrs. Monde Chizongo,
Senior State Advocate, who have taken a leading role in the knowledge exchange.
During the conference, the Zambian delegation delivered three key presentations:
- The UNODC-supported e-Justice system, a digital initiative designed to enhance virtual court proceedings and significantly improve access to justice for GBV victims.
- The impact of prosecutors’ strict adherence to chain-of-custody procedures when presenting forensic evidence in GBV cases.
- The Southern African Heads of Prosecution (SAHOP) Forum GBV Action Plan for 2025–2026. Zambia currently chairs SAHOP through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri SC, positioning the NPA at the forefront of regional strategy.
The conference has brought together delegates from Malawi, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Mauritius, South Africa, and Botswana, including law enforcement, judicial officers, and NGOs.
Zambia received commendation from fellow delegates for the significant progress it has made in GBV response. The country was recognised for its robust legislation, establishment of specialised courts, and strengthened police and prosecutorial structures. The NPA shared best practices that have been instrumental in developing victim-centred, trauma-informed interventions that ensure perpetrator accountability.
