Kambwili pleads guilty to unlawfully leaving Zambia, faces possible jail term

Citizens First Roan parliamentary candidate, Chishimba Kambwili, faces a possible prison sentence after pleading guilty to unlawfully leaving Zambia and abandoning an earlier not guilty plea before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court. Kambwili, 56, admitted the offence after the State indicated that it was ready to proceed with trial and had lined up three witnesses. The former Cabinet minister requested that the charge be read to him again.

After it was explained, he admitted to unlawfully departing Zambia between January 1 and January 11, 2024, without presenting himself before an immigration officer at a designated point of entry. It is alleged that Kambwili illegally entered Zimbabwe after he had been scheduled for evacuation to South Africa for medical treatment. Instead, he travelled to Zimbabwe.

The matter has been adjourned to June 4, 2026, for the reading of facts and sentencing. The offence carries a penalty of a fine or imprisonment of up to two years. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.