The courtroom fell into that familiar, measured stillness as the magistrate delivered a ruling that shifts the course of the trial without yet deciding its end.In the matter involving John Nundwe aka John General, the court has found that the prosecution has established a prima facie case, sufficient, at this stage, to require John General to defend himself.Had the evidence fallen short, the law would have demanded his immediate acquittal.It did not.Instead, the court has called upon the accused to respond.This finding follows the close of the prosecution’s case, which included both factual and expert testimony placed before the court.A ruling of “case to answer” does not determine guilt. It marks a threshold, one that separates speculation from a case that must now be tested by the defence.John Nundwe now stands at a procedural crossroads, with three clear options before

Livingstone | March 7, 2026 – Zambia’s legal fraternity gathered in Livingstone this morning for what His Lordship Dr. Mumba Malila, SC, described as more than a conference but a moment of renewal. Opening the Bar-Bench Conference, the Chief Justice urged judges and lawyers to reconnect not as adversaries across the courtroom divide, but as colleagues bound by a shared duty to uphold justice. “We must be agreed that securing a safer and improved future for both legs of the legal profession is best done in the constant realisation that we have a common interest, namely, to let justice be done though the heavens fall.” Anchoring his remarks on the theme “A Future-Ready Justice System: Safeguarding Judicial Independence and Ethical Practice in a Changing Legal Landscape,” His Lordship, Chief Justice Malila called for a decisive shift from words to action.

Choma | April 1, 2026 – As March, the month dedicated to celebrating women, drew to a close, the National Prosecution Authority’s Southern Province team decided to mark it in a meaningful way. Their mission was simple yet heartfelt: to give back to women and remind them that they truly matter. Through the Choma office, the province extended a hand of kindness to the maternity wing of Railway Surgery Clinic, donating cleaning materials and blankets to support mothers and newborns at one of the community’s key health facilities. The gesture was more than just a donation, it was a reflection of the NPA’s commitment to standing with women, not only in the pursuit of justice but also in the everyday moments that affirm their dignity and worth. For the new mothers who received the items, the visit brought both practical

Lusaka | March 31, 2026 – Chief Resident Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga has convicted former Kasama Member of Parliament Kelvin Mutale Sampa in the Lusaka Subordinate Court on charges of theft by agent and forgery-related offences. Sampa stood trial on four counts which were two counts of theft by agent, contrary to Section 280(b) of the Penal Code, one count of illegal possession of forged bank notes contrary to section 358 of the Penal Code, and one count of possession of paper or implements for forgery, contrary to Section 351(a) of the Penal Code. The prosecution called six witnesses, including two Japanese nationals, Kunihiro Fujishima and Satoshi Sakamoto. The case was prosecuted by Senior Public Prosecutor, Mr. Aaron Tuntuluka. The brief facts of the case are that between July 17, 2024 and September 30, 2024, Sampa was entrusted with US$70,000 and

Lusaka | March 30, 2026 – In one of the first major tests for the National Prosecution Authority’s newly established Environmental and Wildlife Crimes Department, six accused persons have denied charges of illegal possession of 94 pieces of elephant ivory weighing a staggering 471.8 kilograms, with an estimated value of K2.64 million. Gift Miyanda, Mugundumu Miyanda, Mark Mukanya, Babou Awazi Selemani, Malikiso Inambao, and Webster Muzyamba appeared before Her Honour Resident Magistrate Mungala at the Lusaka Magistrates Court, each pleading not guilty to the charge under Section 130(2)(a) of the Zambia Wildlife Act. The case, being prosecuted by Senior State Advocate Laika Zunduna and State Advocate Lester Syamasonta from the newly formed department, marks a significant step in the NPA’s focused drive to combat environmental crimes with dedicated prosecutorial firepower. On March 9, 2026, officers from the Department of National

Livingstone | March 30, 2026 – This week, twenty-three 23 Secretaries from across the National Prosecution Authority have stepped away from their desks and into a space designed for growth, recognition, and renewal. Gathered at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort, they are participating in the Advanced Office Administration and Management Workshop from March 28-31, 2026, under the theme: “Advancing Secretarial Excellence through Professionalism, Technology and Strategic Communication.” The workshop was officially opened by Mr. Rodney Malindi Sikumba, MP. Our secretaries’ presence at the workshop is no accident. It is recognition.Across the NPA, these professionals are the steady hands that keep the institution moving, organising, coordinating, and ensuring that every process flows as it should. Their work may often happen out of the spotlight, but its impact is felt in every case prepared and every court session that proceeds without fault.

Lusaka | March 2026 – The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC, this morning officially opened a four-day orientation programme for newly appointed State Advocates and Public Prosecutors at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre. Held in the Mosi-oa-Tunya Hall from March 30 to April 2, 2026, the orientation marks a significant step in inducting the Authority’s newest prosecutors into the constitutional, ethical, and professional standards required of their office. This year’s intake carries particular significance. For the first time, a cohort of Public Prosecutors admitted to the Bar joins the Authority alongside newly appointed State Advocates, bringing together officers who will serve across both the subordinate and superior courts under the same rigorous standards of practice. In his opening address, the learned DPP highlighted the rigorous selection process undertaken to recruit the new officers, noting that their

Mongu | March 28, 2926 – The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) through its Western Province Office recently participated in the annual Kuomboka Ceremony of the Lozi people, reinforcing the Authority’s commitment to taking justice services closer to the community. This year’s ceremony is being held under the theme, “Tukongote Wa Mwana Nangolo,” which translates to Nature’s Urge Towards Unity in Action. This theme is apt because, in nature, everything moves together. Rivers flow, birds fly in flocks, and wildlife migrates as one and unity ensures survival. This is exactly what happens during Kuomboka. When the floodwaters rise, the Lozi people come together as one to support their King, the Litunga, as he moves from the flooded plains to higher ground. It is a powerful reminder that when we unite, we overcome challenges and thrive. Held in Mongu, the ceremony provided

Copperbelt & Northwestern Provinces | March, 2026 – From March 5 to 14, the Inter-Agency Coordination and Cooperation Framework, through its Illegal Mining and Mineral Crimes Subcommittee, conducted province-wide tours across the Copperbelt and Northwestern regions. The team engaged mining operators and regulators, gathering first-hand intelligence on sector vulnerabilities to understand how illegal mining drives organised crime, money laundering, and illicit financial flows, while ensuring a coordinated response across government agencies. The Framework Chairperson and learned Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC, tasked the subcommittee with this mission, supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The delegation comprised the following Members: The objectives of the tour were to identify vulnerabilities in the mining sector that criminals exploit, assessthe scale and impact of illegal mining on organised crime and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders to

Gaborone, Botswana | March 24, 2026 – The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) is strengthening its fight against environmental crime, with prosecutors from its newly established Environmental and Wildlife Crimes Department, created in December 2025, undergoing specialised training in Gaborone. Deputy Chief State Advocate and Head of Department, Mrs. Martha Tembo-Weza, is attending the programme alongside Senior Public Prosecutor Mr. Alex Yanganani at the U.S. International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA). The week-long course focuses on tackling illegal logging and complex forestry-related offences. Mrs. Weza’s participation signals the NPA’s commitment to building a highly skilled unit from the ground up, reflecting a deliberate approach where leadership is directly involved in shaping expertise and strengthening prosecutorial capacity. The programme brings together prosecutors, investigators, and customs officials from across Southern and Central Africa, highlighting the shared regional understanding that environmental crime is organised, transnational,