Lusaka | July 23, 2026 – The Lusaka Magistrates Court has committed former Zambia Security Intelligence Service (ZSIS) Director-General Xavier Franklin Chungu to the High Court for trial, following the issuance of a certificate of committal by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Chungu, 73, who was until recently a presidential candidate before withdrawing from the race, has been in custody since his arrest on May 28, 2026. He faces multiple charges under the State Security Act, the Penal Code, and the Zambia Security Intelligence Services Act, arising from a podcast interview recorded on May 24, 2026.

Under Zambian criminal procedure, serious offences triable in the High Court require the DPP to issue a certificate of committal before the matter can proceed to trial. This certificate confirms that the DPP has reviewed the case file and is satisfied that the evidence supports the charges and that the matter is ready for trial. Once issued, the case file is transmitted to the High Court, where the accused will be formally arraigned, enter a plea, and the trial will commence.

The committal process had previously been delayed on multiple occasions as the State awaited guidance from the DPP’s office. However, with the certificate now issued, the matter has been formally transferred to the High Court for trial.

Chungu faces a total of four counts, including:

Count 1: Communication of Certain Information, contrary to Section 4(4) of the State Security Act, Chapter 111 of the Laws of Zambia;
Count 2: Seditious Practices, contrary to Section 57(1)(b) as read together with Section 60(1)(b) of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia;

Count 3: Publication or Disclosure of Information to Unauthorised Persons, contrary to Section 11(1) and (2) of the Zambia Security Intelligence Services Act, Chapter 109 of the Laws of Zambia;
Count 4: Publication or Disclosure of Information to Unauthorised Persons, contrary to Section 11(1) and (2) of the Zambia Security Intelligence Services Act, Chapter 109 of the Laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that between 16:00 and 18:00 hours on May 24, 2026, in New Kasama, Lusaka, Chungu disclosed confidential information obtained through his official duties as head of the country’s intelligence apparatus. The State further argues that the information was made public without the written approval of the President or an authorised representative, as required under the law.

Now that the matter has been committed to the High Court, it awaits causelisting for hearing. Once the case is causelisted-listed, Chungu will be formally arraigned and required to enter a plea to the charges, following which a trial date will be set. Under our laws, Chungu remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The case has attracted significant public attention due to Chungu’s former role at the helm of the country’s intelligence service and the nature of the allegations, which touch on classified information and national security.