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

Lusaka | January 23, 2026 – The state closed its case in the John Nundwe trial yesterday with a final witness whose testimony aimed to dismantle deep-seated societal myths about sexual assault victims. Dr. Naeem Dalal, a mental health specialist, provided the court with a scientific explanation for a victim’s potential lack of physical resistance, a point often scrutinised in such cases. Dr. Dalal informed the court that the common assumption that a victim will always fight back is medically unfounded. He detailed the three instinctive, biological responses to extreme trauma: fight, flight, or freeze. His testimony focused extensively on the freeze response, describing a specific phenomenon known as tonic immobility. This involuntary state, he explained, is a primal survival mechanism where the body becomes paralyzed, essentially playing dead in the face of an overwhelming threat. The psychiatrist further clarified

Ndola | January 19, 2026 – A major tax fraud scheme has been dismantled in court, resulting in a multimillion-kwacha recovery order for the state. The Economic and Financial Crimes Court in Ndola has convicted United Chemicals Zambia Limited (UCZ) for fabricating a K19 million export operation to evade taxes. Court records show the company systematically filed false documents with the Zambia Revenue Authority between July 2022 and March 2023. The documents falsely declared that multiple consignments of cooking oil were exported by road to the Democratic Republic of Congo. This fabricated export narrative was designed to fraudulently claim zero-rated VAT status on over K19.1 million in sales, illegally depriving the treasury of K10.7 million. When confronted with the evidence, UCZ entered a guilty plea to eight counts of Furnishing False Returns and Statements before Honorable Tamara Kakusa on January

Lusaka | January 15, 2026 – The High Court has granted an adjournment in the closely watched case of The People v Joseph Chishimba until late March, following a significant and last-minute change in the defence strategy. Joseph Chishimba, 49, was scheduled to open his defence today, January 15, 2026, on a charge of Harassment utilising means of electronic communication, contrary to Section 69 of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021. During the hearing, defence counsel Mr. Kelvin Bwalya Fube applied for an adjournment, informing the court of “fresh instructions” from the accused. This marked a significant tactical change from the defence’s previous declaration that Mr. Chishimba would remain silent. Counsel stated the accused would now give sworn testimony and call four witnesses, necessitating time for preparation. The State, represented by prosecutor Ms. Mildred Muchimba

Lusaka | January 13, 2026 – In a ceremony that decisively set the judicial agenda for the year, the High Court of Zambia officially opened its 2026 Criminal Sessions yesterday, placing historic emphasis on transforming criminal litigation through structured Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).Held under the theme “Consolidating the Call for Proper Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution Through Plea Bargaining,” the event brought together top judges, the Justice Minister, and legal stakeholders. The message was unmistakable: 2026 will be the year Zambia’s criminal justice system embraces modern tools to ensure no one remains trapped in the shadows of delay.Setting a tone of reflective candour, Deputy Chief Justice Michael Musonda, SC, did not mince words. He highlighted a critical gap that has persisted for over 60 years: the lack of national sentencing guidelines.“We are way, way behind. Much smaller jurisdictions around us

Mumbwa | January, 7, 2026 – Zambia’s commitment to the protection of its wildlife resources was indorsed by the Mumbwa Magistrates’ Court, which has sentenced a local man to five years’ imprisonment for the unlawful possession of protected game meat.The court found Shaderick Shikabondo guilty of possessing 31 kilograms of Kafue Lechwe meat without lawful authority, contrary to the provisions of the Wildlife Act. The offence came to light following a tip-off received by wildlife officers, who subsequently obtained a search warrant and conducted a lawful search at the convict’s residence. The search led to the recovery of the illegally butchered meat, for which Shikabondo failed to produce any permit or certificate.In mitigation, the convict pleaded for leniency. However, Magistrate A. Walusiku emphasised the seriousness of wildlife-related offences and the broader implications they carry for the nation. The court noted