Lusaka | January 13, 2026 – The learned Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert A. Phiri SC has reasserted the Office’s commitment to strategic collaboration with SRHR Africa Trust (SAT) Zambia following a courtesy call by Country Director Lenganji Nanyangwe. Mr. Phiri described the engagement as the first formal meeting between the two institutions and emphasised the importance of strengthening institutional linkages, particularly on matters affecting adolescents and young people. He highlighted that while prevention efforts are vital, effective prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence, child marriage and related offences remains critical to protecting vulnerable groups and upholding the rule of law. The DPP was joined by Deputy Chief State Advocate in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms. Makumba G. Kashishi, and Deputy Chief State Advocate in the General and Appeals Unit, Mrs. Mercy Lungu. Ms. Nanyangwe was accompanied by Senior Programme Officer Mr. Martin Silukena. SAT Zambia is a regional non-governmental organisation that advances sexual and

Lusaka | 9 February 2026 – The Economic and Financial Crimes Division of the High Court in Lusaka has ordered the forfeiture to the State of extensive assets worth over ZMW 24 Million belonging to Dalitso Lungu, son of former Republican President the late Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, after finding that the properties were proceeds of crime under Zambia’s forfeiture laws. In a judgment delivered today, the Court held that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had successfully established a case for non-conviction based forfeiture under the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 29 of 2010. The Interested Parties, who were Dalitso Lungu as the 1st Interested Party and his company Saloid Traders Limited, failed to provide a credible, consistent, and verifiable explanation showing lawful acquisition of the assets. The forfeiture order covers 79 motor vehicles and 23 parcels of land and real estate, including a shopping mall and filling station in Jack Compound, double storey luxury apartments and

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 offender may face a fine not exceeding 500 penalty units (currently equivalent to K200) or imprisonment for up to five

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 and money laundering. Full details of the judgment, including the legal reasoning will follow in a comprehensive report.

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 relating to the timing of the delivery of judgment and the evaluation of evidence at trial. The State opposed the

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 training, which concludes tomorrow. The discussions highlighted the collaborative effort to strengthen Zambia’s capacity to investigate, trace, and recover illicit

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 constitutional right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time. These holdups create a cascading effect, overburdening police cells and

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 a key presidential objective of her tenure which is to implement similar national guidelines throughout the region, strengthening a coordinated

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 timber is being fraudulently stamped as Zambian for export. A temporary suspension of all timber harvesting was recommended. Regarding illegal

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 minor was impregnated by the son and brother of the accused, respectively. After the victim’s mother attempted to withdraw the