Lawyers body calls for police reforms following deaths of siblings in alleged GBV cases

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has called on the Police to immediately discontinue any practice requiring victims or complainants to serve police callouts, notices, or summons on suspects in cases involving GBV or other violent offences.

The call follows the tragic deaths of legal counsel, Innocent Nyambe and his sister, Theresa Munyinda Nyambe on July 8 2026 and who were laid to rest on July 13, 2026.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, LAZ President, Arnold Kaluba, expressed concern with reports that Nyambe had lodged a complaint of assault against her husband, Clifford Chileshe, but was instructed to serve a callout on the suspect.

Kaluba further stated that it was alleged that while effecting that service, Chileshe allegedly shot both Theresa and Nyambe, resulting in their untimely deaths.

“The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) is deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely deaths of our colleague, Mr. Innocent Nyambe, and his sister, Ms. Theresa Munyinda Nyambe, on 8 July 2026,” he said.

In LAZ’s second recommendation, Kaluba called on the Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs to strengthen operational procedures to ensure that all reports involving threats to life or personal safety were treated with the urgency and seriousness they demand.

“Strengthen operational procedures to ensure that all reports involving threats to life or personal safety are treated with the urgency and seriousness they demand, including by ensuring that police officers assume responsibility for serving police processes and taking appropriate measures to protect complainants,” he stated.

Kaluba said the Association was appalled by reports that victims of Gender-Based Violence were, in certain instances, required to personally serve police callouts or summonses on the very individuals against whom they have lodged complaints.

“LAZ is appalled by reports that victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) are, in certain instances, required to personally serve police callouts or summonses on the very individuals against whom they have lodged complaints,” he said.

Kaluba argued that if such reports were accurate, the practice was wholly inconsistent with the primary duty of the Zambia Police Service to protect life and property, prevent crime, and safeguard persons who seek its protection.

He further noted that requiring complainants, especially victims of GBV and other violent offences, to personally confront alleged perpetrators unnecessarily exposed them to further harm.

“Requiring complainants, especially victims of GBV and other violent offences, to personally confront or engage alleged perpetrators unnecessarily exposes them to further harm, undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system, and is contrary to the principles of victim-centred policing,” Kaluba said.

Read More: Former First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, dies. Six things to remember about her

He added that the allegations raised serious questions regarding the adequacy, timeliness, and professionalism of the police response to reports of violence, as well as compliance with the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act, No. 1 of 2011.

Kaluba also called for enhanced training and accountability for police officers on victim-centred policing and GBV response, and for an independent and transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“LAZ reiterates that Article 12 of the Constitution of Zambia guarantees the right to life. That constitutional guarantee imposes a corresponding obligation on the State, through its law enforcement agencies, to take reasonable and effective measures to protect persons whose lives or safety are under threat,” he said.

Kaluba said the tragic loss underscored the urgent need to strengthen institutional responses to Gender-Based Violence and to ensure that victims can seek protection without fear of being placed at further risk.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.