Kitwe | July 30, 2026 – There is something powerful about leadership that shows up, not just in boardrooms, but on the ground, where the real work happens.

Yesterday, the Learned Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert A. Phiri, SC, took that message to heart as he toured prosecution offices across the Copperbelt Province, visiting Chingola, Kitwe, and Ndola in a working visit aimed at strengthening prosecutorial excellence and directly engaging with the men and women who carry the weight of justice every single day.

Accompanied by Deputy Chief State Advocate in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Ms. Makumba Gwendoline Kashishi, the DPP was received by Copperbelt Deputy Chief State Advocate Mr. Katongo I. Waluzimba and Provincial Principal State Advocate Ms. Jacklyn Elizabeth Banda, who provided briefings on the state of prosecutorial operations and key developments within the province.

But the highlight? The open, interactive sessions where prosecutors and support staff didn’t just listen, they spoke up. Staff raised operational realities, workplace concerns, and institutional priorities directly with the Authority’s leadership, in discussions marked by candour, openness, and mutual respect.

Addressing officers, the Learned DPP left no doubt about what defines the NPA:

“The authority entrusted to us carries an equally profound responsibility. Every decision we make must inspire public confidence in the administration of justice. Our conduct, our independence and our commitment to fairness are the foundations upon which that confidence is built.”

The DPP also shared updates on institutional reforms that are already making a difference, including enhanced remuneration packages and the introduction of the Authority’s in-house pension scheme, milestones that signal real investment in the long-term welfare of NPA staff.

And in a particularly significant moment, the DPP acknowledged the emotional toll that prosecutorial work can exact, announcing renewed efforts to strengthen welfare programmes, with a specific focus on mental health and psychosocial support.

“The pursuit of justice often places significant emotional demands on prosecutors,” he said. “As an institution, we have a responsibility not only to equip our officers professionally, but also to ensure they are supported personally, so they can continue serving the public with resilience, dignity and excellence.”

Staff across the three stations described the visit as encouraging and motivating, a clear sign that leadership is listening, and that the NPA is building a culture of accessibility, accountability, and shared purpose.

This visit is part of a broader strategy to maintain close engagement with prosecution offices nationwide. Because justice is not just delivered from the top, it is built from the ground up.