Chief Justice, Mumba Malila, has opened the 2026 Mansa High Court Criminal Sessions with a call on the judiciary to deliver justice that is both swift and humane. The media reports that speaking in Mansa District of Luapula Province, the Chief Justice stated that the criminal justice system is at a pivotal juncture in its reforms as he outlined ongoing reforms which started in 2022. “I have, since assuming office as Chief Justice of Zambia, spearheaded efforts to reactivate the criminal justice system to strengthen what had been a weak criminal accountability mechanism,” he said.
Dr Malila revealed that in response to calls for sentencing guidelines relating to plea bargains, the Ministry of Justice has incorporated provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill to empower the Chief Justice to implement them. Building on the theme of consolidating Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Dr Mumba described plea bargaining as a transformative tool and a bridge between law and humanity and emphasised that justice is about restoration and healing, not just punishment. “I have no doubt that the promulgation of sentencing guidelines will significantly strengthen our efforts to champion plea bargaining.
Once in place, such guidelines will provide accused persons with a clearer and more predictable understanding of the scale of sentences for various offences,” he said. The Chief Justice stated that as evidenced by experiences in other jurisdictions, the proper implementation of plea bargaining anchored in principle, not only benefits the parties involved but serves communities as a whole. The Chief Justice said the ADR inclusion has been as a result of the Ministry of Justice’s ongoing review of the Criminal Procedure Code and on the instruction of the Judiciary.He pointed out that employing plea bargaining was responsible to safeguard the rights of the accused, protect the interests of victims, and uphold public confidence in Zambia’s criminal justice system.Earlier, Presiding High Court Judge, Bubile Shonga, presented a report, echoing the call for timely justice.Judge Shonga noted that the Mansa High Court entered 2026 with no case backlog for the eighth consecutive year.Detailing operational strides, she disclosed that the court held four gazetted and two special criminal sessions in 2025, receiving 199 cases and conclusively disposing of 176.Judge Shonga also highlighted critical challenges, including the lack of a dedicated High Court building, insufficient child-friendly facilities, and severe overcrowding in correctional facilities.She further condemned the persistent frequency of defilement cases and endemic mob killings linked to witchcraft suspicions.“This persistence is a grave reminder that punishment alone cannot eradicate crime, it must be accompanied by sustained community education and moral vigilance,” she said.Judge Shonga called on traditional and church leaders to educate communities on the sanctity of life and the rule of law.
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The Chief Justice said the ADR inclusion has been as a result of the Ministry of Justice’s ongoing review of the Criminal Procedure Code and on the instruction of the Judiciary. He pointed out that employing plea bargaining was responsible to safeguard the rights of the accused, protect the interests of victims, and uphold public confidence in Zambia’s criminal justice system.Earlier, Presiding High Court Judge, Bubile Shonga, presented a report, echoing the call for timely justice.Judge Shonga noted that the Mansa High Court entered 2026 with no case backlog for the eighth consecutive year.Detailing operational strides, she disclosed that the court held four gazetted and two special criminal sessions in 2025, receiving 199 cases and conclusively disposing of 176.Judge Shonga also highlighted critical challenges, including the lack of a dedicated High Court building, insufficient child-friendly facilities, and severe overcrowding in correctional facilities.She further condemned the persistent frequency of defilement cases and endemic mob killings linked to witchcraft suspicions.“This persistence is a grave reminder that punishment alone cannot eradicate crime, it must be accompanied by sustained community education and moral vigilance,” she said.Judge Shonga called on traditional and church leaders to educate communities on the sanctity of life and the rule of law. He pointed out that employing plea bargaining was responsible to safeguard the rights of the accused, protect the interests of victims, and uphold public confidence in Zambia’s criminal justice system.
Earlier, Presiding High Court Judge, Bubile Shonga, presented a report, echoing the call for timely justice.Judge Shonga noted that the Mansa High Court entered 2026 with no case backlog for the eighth consecutive year.Detailing operational strides, she disclosed that the court held four gazetted and two special criminal sessions in 2025, receiving 199 cases and conclusively disposing of 176.Judge Shonga also highlighted critical challenges, including the lack of a dedicated High Court building, insufficient child-friendly facilities, and severe overcrowding in correctional facilities.She further condemned the persistent frequency of defilement cases and endemic mob killings linked to witchcraft suspicions.“This persistence is a grave reminder that punishment alone cannot eradicate crime, it must be accompanied by sustained community education and moral vigilance,” she said.Judge Shonga called on traditional and church leaders to educate communities on the sanctity of life and the rule of law. Earlier, Presiding High Court Judge, Bubile Shonga, presented a report, echoing the call for timely justice. Judge Shonga noted that the Mansa High Court entered 2026 with no case backlog for the eighth consecutive year.Detailing operational strides, she disclosed that the court held four gazetted and two special criminal sessions in 2025, receiving 199 cases and conclusively disposing of 176.Judge Shonga also highlighted critical challenges, including the lack of a dedicated High Court building, insufficient child-friendly facilities, and severe overcrowding in correctional facilities.She further condemned the persistent frequency of defilement cases and endemic mob killings linked to witchcraft suspicions.“This persistence is a grave reminder that punishment alone cannot eradicate crime, it must be accompanied by sustained community education and moral vigilance,” she said.Judge Shonga called on traditional and church leaders to educate communities on the sanctity of life and the rule of law.
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