News

SECOND VISIT IN 33 DAYS AS UGANDA RETURNS TO NPA TO STUDY ZAMBIA’S WITNESS PROTECTION MODEL

Lusaka | August 17, 2026 – The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) this morning opened its doors to a Ugandan delegationwhich is in the country to benchmark Zambia’s approach to witness protection. Led by Ms. Jeroline Akubu (Assistant Commissioner, Uganda Law Reform Commission), the delegation includes Mr. Musa Modoi (JLOS), Ms. Irene Bajiga, Ms. Sheila Ampeire Lisamofa, and Mr. Lazaka Tibakuno, all from the Attorney General’s Chambers. Ms. Akubu previously visited on July 16, 2026 as part of a different delegation that was tasked with studying offender identification law. Received by the Learned Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC, at NPA headquarters, the technical session ran well past midday. In the day’s technical session, Deputy Chief State Advocate (DCSA) for Lusaka Province, Mr. Frank Mupenzani Sikazwe, his deputy Principal State Advocate Mrs. Monde Muyoba-Chizongo, DCSAfor Gender Based

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WWF PAYS COURTESY CALL ON THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS TO EXPLORE COLLABORATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Lusaka | August 13, 2026 – The Learned Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri SC, yesterday, August 12, 2026, received a delegation from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Zambia, who paid a courtesy call on him at the National Prosecution Authority Headquarters. The WWF delegation, led by Ms. Nalucha Nganga-Ziba, Country Director, was at the NPA to explore areas of possible collaboration and partnership in capacity building issues of strengthening the prosecution of environmental and wildlife crimes in Zambia. During the meeting, the two institutions discussed the growing threat of environmental crimes, including illegal wildlife trafficking, illegal timber trade, capacity building issues of research and evidence gathering, and other crimes that threaten Zambia’s biodiversity and natural heritage. In his remarks, the Learned Director of Public Prosecutions welcomed the delegation and restated the Authority’s commitment to combating

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NAKACHINDA FOUND WITH CASE TO ANSWER, TO OPEN DEFENCE ON SEPTEMBER 14

Lusaka | August 10, 2026 – The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has found Mr. Raphael Nakachinda with a case to answer in a matter where he faces charges of expressing hatred, ridicule and contempt based on tribe and place of origin, contrary to the Penal Code. Magistrate Hon. Sinvula delivered the ruling this morning, holding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case sufficient to place the accused on his defence. It is alleged that in April 2022, Mr. Nakachinda uttered remarks to the effect that Zambians had picked “the most ignorant person from Bweengwa” and taken him to State House. He denies the charge. At this stage, the court is not deciding guilt. It is determining whether the State has led sufficient evidence that, if unchallenged, could sustain a conviction. Had the evidence been insufficient, the accused would have

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LUSAKA COURT FINES NAKACHINDA FOR SEDITIOUS REMARKS

Lusaka | August 6, 2026 – In a ruling that highlights the judiciary’s stance on national security rhetoric, the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced Raphael Nakacinda on a charge of seditious practices. Magistrate Sylvia Munyinya handed down a fine of K2,400, ordering immediate payment or default imprisonment of three months. The conviction stems from public utterances made in September 2024, in which Nakacinda alleged that law enforcement agencies were planning a raid on the Chifwema residence of the late former President Edgar Lungu. The prosecution argued that these remarks, made amid heightened political tension, had the potential to incite public alarm and disrupt the peace. The court’s ruling places a spotlight on the intersection of political speech and national security, with the bench emphasising the threshold for legitimate political expression versus actionable sedition. The verdict is likely to

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FATHER CONVICTED OF INCEST AFTER INFECTING HIS DAUGHTER, 10, WITH HIV

Lusaka | August 5, 2026 – In a harrowing case that has laid bare the devastating reality of child sexual abuse in Zambia, a 45-year-old man has been convicted of incest after the court heard how he repeatedly defiled his biological Grade 1 daughter, resulting in the ten-year-old contracting HIV. The Lusaka Resident Magistrate Court on August 6, 2026, found the accused guilty of incest contrary to Section 159(1) of the Penal Code. The matter has been referred to the High Court for sentencing after the subordinate court ruled it lacked jurisdiction to impose a penalty in such grave circumstances. “This court has no doubt that the accused person is guilty,” Resident Magistrate Kawama stated in her ruling. “The evidence presented by the prosecution is so overwhelming that it offsets any prejudice that might have arisen from the investigation.” The

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FOUR CONVICTED FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF LIVE PANGOLIN

Lusaka | August 4. 2026 – The Lusaka Magistrate Court on July 28, 2026, convicted four people for illegal possession of a live pangolin. Hon. Mutinta Mweemba Mwenya convicted Lutangu Namushi, Nawa Pelekelo, Abigail Sitali and Melody Mangala for Illegal Possession of a Protected Animal contrary to Section 130(1)(2) of the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015. The case was prosecuted by Mr. L. Siamasona of the National Prosecution Authority.The Court heard that on February 1, 2026, officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife apprehended the four at Novare Mall, along Great North Road, during an intelligence-led operation. The officers, acting with an informant who posed as a buyer, recovered a live pangolin weighing seven kilogrames concealed in a blue laptop bag. The pangolin was sourced from Kalabo. The accused had no certificate of ownership. In convicting

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Lusaka | August 4, 2026 – The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) last week hosted representatives of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) as part of the Mission’s ongoing stakeholder engagements ahead of Zambia’s electoral process. The EU Election Observation Mission is in the country to assess whether elections are conducted in line with Zambia’s national laws and international democratic standards. As part of its work, the Mission is meeting key governance and justice institutions to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s electoral and legal framework. During the meeting at the NPA headquarters, the Authority shared the measures it has put in place to support the effective prosecution of electoral offences. Discussions centred on the legal framework governing election-related offences, the importance of inter-agency collaboration, and the role of the NPA in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral

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NPA AND LISWMC SIGN MOU TO STRENGTHEN PROSECUTION OF SOLID WASTE OFFENCES

Lusaka | August 4, 2026 – The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) and the Lusaka Integrated Solid Waste Management Company (LISWMC) have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance enforcement and prosecution of solid waste management offences in Lusaka. The MoU was signed this morning at the NPA Conference Room by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC, and the Chief Executive Officer of LISWMC, Mr. Imuwana Mwanamwalye. The agreement establishes a formal framework for collaboration in the prosecution of offences such as illegal dumping, creation of illegal dumpsites, blocking of drainage systems and non-compliance with solid waste regulations.Speaking during the ceremony, the Learned DPP said the partnership marks a shift in how the city’s waste challenge is addressed, from a purely municipal issue to a criminal justice issue. The DPP noted that for years,

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DPP RESTATES COMMITMENT TO FRONTLINE PROSECUTORS DURING COPPERBELT WORKING VISIT

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

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Lusaka | July 30, 2026 – The Lusaka High Court has sentenced a 37 year-old man to life imprisonment for the murder of his employers in Lusaka West.

The Court found Godfrey Phiri guilty of killing Mr. Bernard Chomba and Mrs. Bwalya Chileshe at their residence in Kasupe, Lusaka West. The facts before the Court were that the deceased couple went missing in November 2022. On November 22, 2022, following a report by a concerned friend that the couple had not been seen for three days, police officers visited their home and discovered their decomposing bodies approximately 30 metres from the house. Investigations led to the apprehension of Phiri, who had been employed by the couple as a garden worker. The accused person was later charged and arrested on 2 counts of Murder and 1 count of Aggravated Robbery. The Court heard that during the course of investigations, police recovered a silver Toyota Spacio registration number ADD 5815, a television set, a fridge, two laptops and three cellular

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