The trial of Lumezi MP Munir Zulu took an unexpected turn yesterday as defence Counsel Macqueen Zaza alleged duplicity in the charges. Munir Zulu, 36, is facing three counts of seditious practices. When the case came up for plea and commencement of trial before Lusaka magistrate Faides Hamaundu, Zaza raised a preliminary issue, submitting that the charge has three counts, all stemming from section 57(1)(b) of the Penal Code as read with section 60. Zaza pointed out that counts one and three charge the accused under section 60(1)(e), while count two charges him under section 60(1)(f), all stemming from the same incident on May 26, 2024, at Cresta Lodge in Lusaka’s Ibex Hill. However, Senior State Advocate Susan Mwamba Besa responded that the indictment is not barred for duplicity, citing the principle of joinder of counts in section 135 of

Lusaka, Zambia – Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri has hailed the recent amendment to the Marriage Act as a significant step forward in the fight against child marriage in Zambia. Speaking at a dialogue on joint action to create awareness of the minimum age of marriage, DPP Phiri emphasised the gravity of child marriage, citing alarming statistics from UNFPA and UNICEF. The amendment, enacted in December 2023, categorically prohibits child marriages under both customary and statutory law, nullifying the previous provision allowing marriage of children as young as 15. This change harmonises the legal age of marriage with Zambia’s constitutional definition of a child as anyone under 18. DPP Phiri noted that prior to this amendment, Zambia’s legal landscape was fraught with inconsistencies, including a loophole allowing child marriages under customary rites. He highlighted the landmark case of

In a significant development, 20 Chinese nationals and one Cameroonian have been convicted for their involvement in a sophisticated cyber crime operation run under the guise of Golden Top Support Services Limited. The convicted individuals faced charges under the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021 and the Information and Communication Technologies Act No. 15 of 2009. Their offences included computer-related misrepresentation, identity-related crimes, and operating an unlicenced network. The investigation commenced on April 5, 2024, when officers from the Drug Enforcement Commission were alerted to suspicious activities occurring at Golden Top Support Services Limited in Kalundu. Acting on this intelligence, officers conducted a search of the premises, leading to the seizure of 135 personal computers, 1 laptop, a Toyota Alphard, 37,000 SIM cards, an iPad, 2 pistols with 73 rounds of ammunition, ZMW 13,143.00, $20.00, 17,000

The NPA has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Zambia through innovative practices and collaborative efforts. Speaking at a side event hosted by the NPA and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) titled ‘Innovative Practices in Criminal Justice in the SADC Region’ at the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice – 33rd Session in Vienna, Austria, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri SC, highlighted the NPA’s strides in combating GBV. The DPP, accompanied by Senior State Advocates, Vivian Nsingo, Jacklyn Banda, and Samson Zulu, noted that GBV remains a pervasive problem in Zambia, with over a third of women experiencing physical violence and 47% of married women facing physical violence. Zambia also ranks 16th globally and third in the SADC region for child marriages, with 31% of girls married