AFRICA

Zambia’s President Suspends Three Top Judges Amid Allegations of Political Interference

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has suspended three Constitutional Court judges over allegations of judicial misconduct, a move that has ignited accusations of political interference in the judiciary. The suspended judges, Justice Annie Sitali, Justice Mungeni Mulenga, and Justice Palan Mulonda, had previously dismissed Hichilema’s 2016 presidential election petition and allowed former President Edgar Lungu to contest the 2021 elections despite his two prior terms in office.

The suspension comes at a critical time as Zambia prepares for its 2026 elections, where Hichilema and Lungu are expected to face off again. The three judges were due to preside over a key case determining whether Lungu could contest the 2026 elections.

The judges’ suspension followed recommendations from the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC), which investigated complaints against them, including a petition filed by lawyer-turned-diplomat Joseph Busenga. The JCC’s two-year investigation concluded with a recommendation for their suspension, which Hichilema acted upon.

The decision has drawn widespread criticism, particularly from Lungu’s Patriotic Front (PF) party, which claims the suspension is illegal and threatens the independence of the judiciary. Lungu called on Zambians to stand against what he described as an injustice, warning of the dangers posed by a compromised judiciary.

“I want to say to the Zambian people that the time has come for you to stand up and fight the injustice which is being applied to the judiciary because when we lose the judiciary, we would have lost everything,” Lungu told journalists on Tuesday.

Social and political commentators have weighed in, with some arguing that while the judges’ removal might be justified, the timing suggests political motivations. Political analyst Sishuwa Sishuwa described Hichilema’s actions as a “dangerous political game” aimed at sidelining Lungu ahead of the next presidential race.

Social and political commentator Laura Miti says the judges deserve to be sacked but the president is at least partly motivated by revenge. “My honest view is that the judges harmed the country and now the president is doing the same,” she wrote on her Facebook page.

The suspended judges now face disciplinary proceedings, which will determine whether they are reinstated or removed from the bench. Under Zambia’s constitution, the president has the authority to appoint and remove judges, a power critics say undermines judicial independence.

The controversy surrounding the suspension raises concerns about the politicisation of Zambia’s judiciary, with implications for the country’s democratic processes as it gears up for the 2026 elections.

Melissa Enoch

Follow us on:

Melissa Enoch

View Comments

  • <<<<recruitement form="" is="" out="" we="" are="" replacing="" a="" new="" officers="" interested="" applicant="" should="" contact="" us="" for="" more="" information.;="">>><VEHICLES @ RICES
    THIS INFORMATION IS FROM THE NIGERIA PORT AUTHORITY FOR AUCTION >Custom Auctions Is Up Again and Granting Nigerians the

    Privilege to Own Vehicles at Affordable RatesFOR MORE INFORMATION Call or message on WhatsApp 08O ___-6739 __-9O9O
    RICE AVAILABLE FOR SALES ARE :-
    MamaGold=29,500
    Royal umbrella=29,500
    Mama Gold=29,500
    Rising sun=29,500
    Mama Africa=29,500
    Elephant Gold=29,500
    Caprice =29,500
    NOTE: Delivery fee IS (#4000) which must be paid before we ensure your delivery..
    *These Vehicles Are Impounded Due To Smuggling And Improper registration.*
    *These Vehicles Are Direct Tokunbo and Has Never Been Used In Nigeria.*.For any purchase
    Call the officer
    08O ___-6739 __-9O9O

    •Toyota Land Cruiser-N1.3m
    •Toyota Prado N1.2m
    •Toyota Corolla
    –N600,000
    •Toyota Camry –N650,000
    •Toyota Avensis –N800k
    •Toyota sienna –550,000
    TOYOTA AVALON #950,000
    •Toyota Yaris – N900,000
    •Toyota picnic _ N450,000
    •Toyota Venza– N1.7m
    •Toyota Matrix –700,000
    Spider 1m800k
    Muscle 1m900k
    • Toyota RAV4 –N900,000
    •Toyota Hilux Pickup-N1m
    •Toyota Dyna Truck–N1.3million
    •Toyota 4 Runner–N1m
    tundra 2.670,000
    tacoma 2.5Million
    •Toyota Hiace Bus –N1.5m
    •Toyota Highlander-N1.2m
    •Toyota Big daddy-800k

    Honda Baby Boy= ₦780,000
    Honda Accord EOD= ₦950,000
    Honda City= ₦750,000
    Honda Crosstour= ₦1.2M
    Honda CR-V= ₦950k
    Honda Odyssey= ₦850,000
    Honda Pilot= ₦1Million

    *Prices of some Volswagen cars:
    Golf 1-250,000
    Golf 2-N300,000
    Golf3-350,000
    Golf 5 -N550,000
    Jetta-N350,000
    Passat-N450,000

    LEXUS ES300@#1.3 MILLION
    LEXUS ES330@#1.6 MILLION
    LEXUS ES350@#2 MILLION
    LEXUS RX300@#1.7 MILLION
    LEXUS RX330@#3 MILLION
    LEXUS RX350@#4 MILLION
    LEXUS RX400@#3.5 MILLION
    LEXUS GX460@#4 MILLION
    LEXUS GX470@#5 MILLIONLexus GX460=₦6.6M
    Lexus GX470=₦8.4M
    Lexus GX570=₦13.8M
    Lexus IS-250=₦2.1M
    Lexus ES-330=₦1.5M
    Lexus ES-350=₦2.6M
    Lexus RX300= ₦1.5M
    Lexus RX330= ₦2.8M
    Lexus RX350= ₦3.2M. BENZ C-CLASS ₦3,000,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class ₦3,500,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class ₦4,000,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ GLK ₦4,500,000
    MERCEDES BENZ ML₦5,000,000Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.5 million
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.7 million
    Mercedes-Benz G-Class ₦2.5 million
    Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.5 Million
    Mercedes Benz ML350 ₦2.3 million
    Mercedes Benz g-wagon ₦125 million.

    Range rover vogue 6mill
    Range rover sport HSE 4.8m
    Land rover 3.3m

    MANY MORE EXCLUSIVE OFFER'S LIKE.....
    LAPTOPS, GENERATOR'S, FRIDGE, CONTAINERS, PHONE, MOTORCYCLE, AND KEKE.... Bales of Okirika Clothes 50kg for #35,000, 100kg for #75,000 and 150kg for #180,000

    👉KEKE MARUWA.
    Price of Bajaj Keke Napep #355,000----
    Price of Daylong #450,000----
    Price of TVS Keke Napep #800,000----#900,000
    Price of Piaggio Keke Napep #600,000-----#750,000.

    👉 CONTACT 08O ___-6739 __-9O9Oags of cement #3,500
    Delivery cost is #1,000

    EVERY BUYER IS EXPECTED TO PAY FOR THE DOCUMENTS OF THE VEHICLES BEFORE THE DELIVERY WILL COMMENCE!!!!WE DELIVER NATION WIDE NOTICE INSTALLMENTAL PAYMENT IS ALLOWED!!! ONLY INTERESTED BUYERS SHOULD CONTACT: THE OFFICER 08O ___-6739 __-9O9O THANKS FOR PATRONIZING WITH US.!!!〽.〽.

Recent Posts

Trump Considers Kevin Warsh for Treasury Secretary, Role Of Chairman Of Federal Reserve

Trump is considering Kevin Warsh for Treasury Secretary, with a future possibility of him becoming…

58 mins ago

Hyundai Recalls 145,235 Electrified Vehicles In The US Due To Power Loss Issue

Hyundai has recalled 145,235 electrified vehicles in the US. due to potential loss of drive…

1 hour ago

‘We’re Going to Begin to License Actors’, Says AGN President in A Bid For Standardisation

AGN president Rollas has stressed the need for actor licensing to ensure fair compensation and…

1 hour ago

EU Closes Antitrust Investigation Into Apple’s App Store Rules After Complaint Withdrawal

EU regulators has closed a four-year investigation into Apple's App Store rules after the complainant…

1 hour ago

IPOB Denounces Simon Ekpa As A ‘Destructive Agent’, Clarifies He Was Never A Member Of The Group

IPOB distanced itself from Simon Ekpa, calling him a “destructive agent” who infiltrated and destabilised…

2 hours ago

Biden Calls ICC’s Arrest Warrants For Netanyahu, Gallant ‘Outrageous’

Biden has condemned ICC's arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, calling them "outrageous" amid global…

3 hours ago