State drops charges against late FDD leader, Nawakwi

Nearly two months after her death, the State has formally discontinued criminal proceedings against late opposition leader Edith Nawakwi, who had been facing charges of abduction and threatening violence involving the Hatembo family.

When the matter came up on Tuesday for continuation of trial, Lusaka Magistrate, Amy Masoja was informed that the State, through the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), had entered a nolle prosequi—a legal notice to halt prosecution.

“Having heard of the demise of the accused person, the State has entered a nolle prosequi,” prosecutor Brian Siayengo told the court.

Read more: Stop playing politics with Nawakwi’s death, Forum for Democracy and Development urges politicians to act responsibly

Nawakwi, who was president of the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), died on April 7, 2025, at the age of 66.

In the months leading up to her death, she repeatedly missed court sessions, citing medical complications. Her continued absence from had raised doubts about whether the trial—already delayed several times—would ever reach conclusion.

Nawakwi had been accused of abducting siblings Milton and Pheluna Hatembo from Choma to Lusaka with intent to detain them unlawfully, and of threatening to kill them. She denied all charges.

The alleged incidents occurred between August 31, 2021, and September 1, 2022.

Nawakwi was alleged to have told one of the siblings: “I will kill you by chopping your head if you tell anyone whatever I discuss.”

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