The Judiciary of Zambia

Forty (40) newly appointed Judges of the Superior Courts were yesterday sworn in by President Hakainde Hichilema at State House, following their ratification by the National Assembly.

The appointments spanning the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, Court of Appeal and High Court mark a historic step toward strengthening the justice delivery system and improving access to justice for all Zambians.

This morning, nine members of staff in the Secretariat of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) took oath of office before Hon. Lady Justice Ann Malata Ononuju, Hon. Judge of the High Court, Economic and Financial Crimes Division.

The officers, who are full-time members of staff of the Judiciary, will serve the JSC part-time. Lady Justice Ononuju urged them to remain people of integrity and uphold confidentiality, neutrality, and professionalism in their duties.

This afternoon, Hon. Lady Justice Mwaaka Mikalile, Hon Judge of the High Court, Industrial Relations Division, swore in two members of staff in the Office of the Public Protector.

Justice Mikalile congratulated the appointees and reminded them that public office is a public trust that demands integrity, diligence, confidentiality and fidelity to the law. She added that the Office of the Public Protector occupies a critical place in our constitutional democracy, serving as a safeguard against maladministration, abuse of authority, injustice and improper conduct in public administration.

She further encouraged the newly sworn in officers to serve fearlessly, uphold the mandate of the institution and strengthen public confidence through professionalism and accountability.

The Judiciary of Zambia wishes to refute the false information circulating on social media alleging that His Lordship, the Hon. Chief Justice Dr. Mumba Malila, SC, has resigned over a supposed disagreement regarding the passage of more than 70 Bills in Parliament.

While members of the public are entitled to freedom of expression, that freedom must be exercised responsibly. We urge the public to respect the law and refrain from using social media platforms for harassment, exploitation, disinformation, fraud, or the spreading of falsehoods. Those who misuse these platforms should expect to be held accountable under the law.

This morning, the Hon. Chief Justice, Dr. Mumba Malila, SC, paid a courtesy visit to retired Supreme Court Judge, Hon. Mr. Justice Frederick Mwale Chomba, SC, (emeritus), at his residence in Chilanga.

The Hon. Chief Justice was accompanied by Hon. Mr. Justice Charles Zulu, the Chief Administrator, Ms. Nalishebo Imataa, and other members of staff.

Justice Chomba joined the Judiciary of Zambia as a Court Interpreter before the country gained its independence. He later went to the United Kingdom to study law. Upon his return, he joined the Judiciary as a Magistrate, rising through the ranks and eventually being appointed Judge of the High Court, becoming one of the first three indigenous Zambian judges to join the Bench in 1971. He later served as a judge of the Supreme Court before his retirement.

The Judiciary of Zambia today met with the African Union Pre-Election and Needs Assessment Mission, led by its delegation head His Excellency Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, which expressed satisfaction with the institution’s preparedness ahead of the August General Elections.

His Lordship the Chief Justice, Dr. Mumba Malila, SC, reaffirmed that the Judiciary’s readiness is anchored on its constitutional mandate to adjudicate electoral disputes efficiently, fairly, and within prescribed statutory timelines.

The Chairperson of the Chief Justice’s Advisory Committee on Elections Management, Hon. Lady Justice Maria Mapani Kawimbe, further outlined key initiatives undertaken in preparation for 2026, including continuous training of adjudicators on electoral dispute resolution, the development of High Court rules on election petitions, and the creation of an Adjudicators’ Handbook and a Digest of Election Law Cases to support effective and timely resolution of petitions.

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Prof. Chaloka Beyani, today paid a courtesy call on His Lordship the Chief Justice, Dr. Mumba Malila, SC.

During the engagement, Prof. Beyani highlighted the growing global concern over the rise of hate speech and its potential to incite violence and, ultimately, genocide. He noted that genocide does not begin with acts of violence, but with words that dehumanise, divide, and incite communities. With the rapid spread of information through artificial intelligence and social media platforms, harmful speech can escalate more quickly than ever before.

His Lordship the Chief Justice reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to upholding constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, while emphasising the need to safeguard the public from speech that incites hatred or threatens peace and security. He noted that finding the balance between protecting free speech and curbing hate speech is critical to preserving social harmony and the rule of law.

The Hon. Chief Justice Dr. Mumba Malila, SC, congratulates Hon. Mr. Justice Marvin Sitwala Mwanamwambwa on his election as President of the COMESA Court of Justice.

In his remarks, the Chief Justice noted that Justice Mwanamwambwa’s election reflects his distinguished service on the bench and his commitment to the administration of justice. He added that this appointment reinforces the continued recognition of Zambian jurists within regional judicial bodies.

A total of 13 candidates have today been admitted to the Bar as Advocates of the High Court of Zambia at a Call Day ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Lusaka.

In his address, His Lordship the Chief Justice, Dr. Mumba Malila, SC, congratulated the new advocates and reminded them that their journey as lawyers begins with building a reputation rooted in integrity, ethics, and professionalism.

He emphasized that the legal profession is a public trust, not a business, and that what will matter most in their careers is not status or wealth, but service to justice and the people they represent.

He further urged them to uphold their professional oath, to maintain impeccable character, to embrace ethical practice, and to adapt to modern developments including technology and Artificial Intelligence, while remembering that human judgment and empathy remain irreplaceable in the practice of law.