Lusaka | February 7, 2026 – The trial of Lusaka-based media personality Mutale Mwanza, accused of cyber-harassing fellow media figure Daisy Lusumpa, popularly known as Chichi Daisy, commenced yesterday at the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Mbuywana Sinvula. The case, which has been adjourned several times since Mutale Mwanza took plea on December 1, 2025, marks the formal start of trial proceedings. Ms. Mwanza, aged 37 and widely known for her social media persona “The M-Nation,” denied the allegations against her at that time. The trial was initially scheduled for December 22, 2025, but was postponed, and resumed yesterday for commencement of the trial. She is charged under Section 69 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, which criminalises the intentional use of electronic communication to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause emotional distress to another person. Upon conviction, an

Lusaka | February 6, 2026 – The Court of Appeal has today upheld the forfeiture order applied for by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and granted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Division of the High Court (EFCC) in relation to Lisboa Casino, confirming the forfeiture to the State of:ZMK 809,135, USD 126,120, Chinese Yuan 3,570, Euro 350, GBP 60, Indonesian Rupiah 150,000, South African Rand 50, Australian Dollar 100, Canadian Dollar 10, and Cambodian Riel 600. The casino was found to have been operating under a forged licence, using its business to launder substantial sums of money, according to investigations by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).The Court agreed with findings of the EFCC, confirming, among other significant findings, that the seized funds were connected to illegal operations, and highlighting the DPP’s authority to act decisively against financial crimes

Lusaka | February 6, 2026 – The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has dismissed an application for bail pending appeal by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji, ruling that he remains in lawful custody as his appeal against conviction and sentence proceeds. Mr. Malanji was convicted in September 2025 on seven counts of possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime, contrary to section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010, and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment with hard labour. In support of the application, Counsel fir the Applicant argued that the intended appeal raised arguable points with reasonable prospects of success and further contended that there was a risk the Applicant could serve a substantial portion, or the entirety, of his sentence before the appeal is determined. The application also cited concerns

Lusaka | February 5, 2026 – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) team leading the Advanced Financial Investigations Training in Zambia’s minerals sector, alongside a three-day workshop to develop the country’s first comprehensive international asset recovery guidelines, paid a courtesy call on the Learned Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC, today.The delegation was led by Ms. Margaret Kapambwe-Chitundu, President of the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Southern Africa (ARINSA) and Head of the National Prosecution Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Department. The delegation included Ms. Inneke Geyskens-Borgions, UNODC AML/CFT Adviser based in Brussels, Ms. Lindy Muzila, UNODC Regional Project Coordinator and the ARINSA Secretariat team.During the meeting, Ms. Muzila updated the DPP on progress in drafting the asset recovery guidelines which workshop ended this afternoon. She also provided an overview of the ongoing Financial Investigations

Lusaka | February 3, 2026 – The National Prosecutions Authority (NPA) and the Human Rights Commission (HRC) have established a critical action plan to address systemic delays in Zambia’s criminal justice system that contribute to prolonged pre-trial detention and court congestion. The agreement was forged during a strategic meeting on Monday, February 2, 2026, when a senior delegation from the Human Rights Commission, led by Chairperson Dr. Pamela Sambo, paid a courtesy call on the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC. The Commission’s delegation included Director-General Mbololwa Wamunyima, Vice-Chairperson Dr. Felicity Kayumba-Kalunga, and several key Commissioners, among them Ms. Laura Miti, Father Joe Komakoma, and Bishop Emmanuel Yona Chikoya. The HRC outlined key concerns from its monitoring, noting that delays in bringing accused persons to court, frequent adjournments, and the submission of incomplete investigation dockets undermine the

Lusaka | February 4, 2026 – The United Nations Resident Coordinator for Zambia, Ms. Beatrice Mutali, has highlighted the United Nations’ full backing for an innovative initiative to develop Zambia’s first comprehensive guide for international asset recovery. Her statement was delivered at the opening of a high-level, three-day workshop, which commenced on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka. Ms. Mutali framed the effort as essential for strengthening governance, upholding the rule of law, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. She emphasised that empowering institutions to trace and repatriate stolen wealth protects national resources and meets key international commitments. The workshop is being funded by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network of Southern Africa (ARINSA). ARINSA’s newly inaugurated president, Ms. Margaret Kapambwe-Chitundu, used her opening platform to outline

Solwezi | January 30, 2026 – The Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Coordination and Cooperation Framework is conducting a high-stakes operational mission in Solwezi, North-Western Province, with key meetings scheduled through to today. The team is gathering critical intelligence to combat sophisticated criminal networks exploiting the region’s resources and undermining the justice system. The mission, led by Deputy Chief State Advocate in charge of the Asset Forfeiture Department at the National Prosecution Authority, who is also head of the Secretariat, Ms. Margaret Kapambwe-Chitundu, began with a strategic meeting with the Permanent Secretary for North-Western Province, Colonel Grandson Katambi. Colonel Katambi provided a detailed briefing on organised crime, citing the exploitation of vulnerable children as proxies by criminal syndicates exploiting legal protections that shield minors from significant consequences while the masterminds remain free. He further highlighted cross-border timber trafficking, noting that Angolan

Mpika | January 2026 – Can a drug cartridge, medical records, and a neighbour’s word secure a conviction? On February 9, 2026, the Mpika Subordinate Court will decide, delivering a much anticipated ruling on the NPA’s “victimless prosecution” strategy in a case where the victim disappeared and her family sought to withdraw charges. The case directly mirrors the recent directive of the learned Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri SC, who has declared a zero-tolerance stance on the withdrawal of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases, emphasising evidence-based prosecutions that proceed even without victim testimony. Violet Katongo and Dorcus Chikwanda face one count of supplying drugs to procure an abortion, contrary to Section 153 of the Penal Code, chapter 87 of the Laws, in a matter being heard before Honourable Magistrate Andrew Longa Kasongo. The State alleges that the

Lusaka | January 28, 2026 – The Lusaka Magistrate’s Court has convicted and fined businessman Harry Findlay a total of ZMW 240,000 for two separate immigration-related offences flatly rejecting his legal team’s fervent plea for acquittal in a high-profile immigration fraud case. Findlay faces four (4) and six (6) months simple imprisonment respectively should he fail to pay the fine.The first charge was for Holding more than one passport, contrary to Section 22(1) as read together with Section 22(2) of the Passport Act of Zambia, specifically acquiring passport ZP021382 on March 14, 2014, after claiming to have lost passport ZP013259.The second, more severe charge, possessing a passport with a forged Mwami Border Control immigration endorsement dated October 3, 2022. This offence contravenes Section 52(4)(e) as read together with Section 56(1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010.Throughout

Lusaka | January, 2026 – The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) commenced the new year with a week-long, focused and forward-looking Senior Management meeting held at the Road Transport and Safety Agency training Centre in Avondale, Lusaka. This first quarterly gathering of 2026 served a dual purpose which is to conduct a comprehensive review of the performance and achievements of the final quarter of 2025 and to strategically plan and prioritise key objectives for the year ahead. Presided over by the learned Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, the meeting brought together the Authority’s core leadership, including Deputy Chief State Advocates and Principal State Advocates from all the provinces and specialised departments as well as managers of units within the NPA. The agenda reflected a commitment to the continued strengthening of prosecutorial systems through accountability, operational excellence, and