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Welcome to Justice O’ Metre, an independent tracker on high profile cases affecting mostly politically-exposed persons within the Zambian judicial system, the rule of law and the administration of justice for common good.
APRIL REVIEW
The month of April 2025 delivered a packed judicial docket, marked by dramatic courtroom scenes, significant convictions, and growing scrutiny of the rule of law as it applies to Zambia’s politically exposed elite. At the centre of national headlines stood firebrand opposition lawmaker Munir Zulu, whose twin convictions underscored the widening crackdown on controversial political figures.
The People v. Munir Zulu
April proved particularly consequential for Lumezi Independent Member of Parliament Munir Zulu, who found himself on the receiving end of two prison sentences within days.
First, Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Davies Chibwili convicted Zulu on charges of criminal defamation and handed him a 12-month sentence with hard labour.
The outspoken MP had made sensational claims during a press conference, accusing Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane of receiving a $250,000 bribe via bank transfer from an unnamed company. Infrastructure Minister Charles Milupi and Roads Development Agency (RDA) Board Chairperson Mulchand Kuntawala were also implicated, with Zulu alleging the latter transferred $150,000 to Milupi just two days before his appointment to the RDA board.
The court found the remarks libellous and unsubstantiated, citing Zulu’s intent to defame.
He was convicted on all three counts of libel and sentenced accordingly.
Barely had the ink dried on that the ruling when Zulu stood before another bench. Senior Resident Magistrate Trevor Kasanda sentenced him to 18 months’ imprisonment with hard labour and imposed a fine of 2,000 penalty units for seditious practices stemming from the same set of public allegations.
Despite the convictions, Zulu pushed back. He filed an appeal with the High Court and challenged the declaration of his parliamentary seat as vacant in the Constitutional Court, promising a legal fight on multiple fronts.
ACC v. Chrint Sichamba & Others
While one MP faced sentencing, another high-profile case shifted focus to unexplained wealth. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) intensified its pursuit of Ndozo Lodge proprietor, Chrint Sichamba, his wife Eudora Nambela, their son David, and associated companies.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Court heard arguments from Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri, who sought the forfeiture of over K10 million and US$7,000 along with more than 100 properties believed to be tainted assets. The state identified luxury lodges, high-end real estate, and vehicles linked to Mulozi Trading Limited, Ndozo Lodge Limited, and the Damaton Family Trust.
An affidavit from ACC Senior Investigations Officer Clement Chipasha revealed that suspiciously were first raised in late 2021 after a whistleblower tip-off.
Investigators discovered a sprawling empire that included 71 properties in Lusaka’s Kamwala South, and financial records showing steep asset accumulation between 2015 and 2021.
In contrast, the family’s declared income and tax filings were shockingly minimal, with many companies consistently reporting nil returns.
The ACC alleged that over K463 million in real estate and undeclared bank holdings could not be reconciled with any legitimate earnings.
As of April, the state had slapped Sichamba with 26 counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime. His wife and son faced 39 and 41 counts respectively, while the two corporate entities were charged with 95 counts combined.
ACC now seeks a non-conviction-based forfeiture order to strip the family of what it says is ill-gotten wealth.
The People v. Candunde & Phiri
In an unusual courtroom drama, a case involving alleged witchcraft against the President took a surprising turn when Magistrate Fines Mayambu ruled that the key confession in the case was inadmissible.
Jasten Mabulesse Candunde, a Mozambican national, and Leonard Phiri, a Zambian from Sinda, were jointly charged under the Witchcraft Act for allegedly attempting to harm President Hakainde Hichilema through supernatural means.
The court conducted a “trial within a trial” to determine whether the accused voluntarily confessed during police interrogations. Both defendants claimed they were blindfolded, tortured, and coerced into signing statements without legal counsel.
Police, on their part, argued that the suspects were warned and cautioned properly. However, their case was undermined by the failure to present a crucial piece of evidence: a video recording allegedly capturing the confession.
Magistrate Mayambu expressed concern over the missing footage and ruled the confession inadmissible, stating, “The best practice is to document the warning and caution. The State had its best evidence the videobut it was not produced.”
The matter was adjourned to May 2, 2025, after the prosecution requested time to bring its next witness.
Paul Kasonde v. Attorney General
The courtroom also heard from former security chief Paul Kasonde, who sued Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) for wrongful dismissal. Kasonde, previously the Manager of Aviation Security at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, was terminated after former President Edgar Lungu was cleared through the VIP channel without undergoing metal detector screening.
Kasonde insisted that his actions complied with standing VIP protocols, which he said routinely exempted dignitaries such as the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice. He claimed that he filed a full report on the incident within 24 hours and coordinated with multiple state security organs.
Through his lawyers, Kayula & Associates, Kasonde is seeking K5.5 million in compensation, damages for reputational harm, and unpaid allowancesss.
Elizabeth Pezo Kanoka v. Remember Mutale
Lastly, in a sobering civil matter, Chitambo PF Member of Parliament Remember Mutale was sued for K3.7 million following a fatal road crash that killed 25-year-old Joseph Yikona.
Elizabeth Pezo Kanoka, administrator of Yikona’s estate, filed the suit citing the devastating impact of his death on his two children, then aged four years and three months. Court filings allege that Mutale fled the scene of the March 29, 2024 crash, leaving Yikona critically injured. A good Samaritan rushed the young father to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.
A police report cited Mutale for careless driving, and Kanoka represented by Nchito & Nchito Advocates is seeking damages under both the Fatal Accidents Act and the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.
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