Judge Emelia Phiri Sunkutu Suspended Over Conduct Concerns

Lusaka, Zambia – May 28, 2025

High Court Judge Emelia Phiri Sunkutu has once again been removed from the bench following a Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC) recommendation, reigniting debates over judicial accountability in Zambia.

The suspension, announced by State House and effective immediately, marks the second time Justice Sunkutu has been sidelined over misconduct allegations. A seasoned legal figure with over a decade on the bench, she currently oversees the Mansa High Court and previously served in Ndola. Her academic pedigree including law degrees from the University of Zambia and the UK’s University of Lancaster contrasts with her contentious professional trajectory, which includes prior roles as a State Advocate and legal manager at the Environmental Council of Zambia.

Her first suspension in 2013, under President Michael Sata’s administration, came alongside that of Judge Timothy Katanekwa amid undisclosed misconduct claims. Though the outcome of that tribunal was never made public, Katanekwa’s subsequent 2023 suspension and now Sunkutu’s repeat disciplinary action—suggests systemic concerns. Legal insiders note that her name has resurfaced in JCC files multiple times, with complaints citing delayed rulings and procedural irregularities.

Notably, three successive presidents Sata, Lungu, and now Hichilema have endorsed suspensions against her, dispelling notions of political targeting. “When administrations of different stripes take the same action, it signals a conduct issue, not a conspiracy,” remarked a Lusaka-based legal analyst.

President Hichilema’s administration has suspended or dismissed at least seven judicial officers since 2021, framing the moves as housecleaning for a more credible judiciary. Critics cry overreach, but proponents argue that tolerating misconduct undermines public trust.

As investigations proceed, Justice Sunkutu’s case underscores a hard truth: even the highest legal minds must answer for their professional conduct. The Zambian judiciary, it seems, is no longer a sanctuary for the untouchable.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango inaugurated the Third African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water (PANAFCON-3)in Lusaka, delivering a keynote address that underscored Zambia’s commitment to water security and sustainable sanitation across the continent.
Speaking on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema, Vice President Nalumango emphasized the critical role of water and sanitation in Africa’s development agenda. She highlighted the necessity for bold investments, regional cooperation, and innovative financing mechanisms to ensure equitable access to clean water and dignified sanitation for all Africans.
“We must champion water and sanitation as engines of fiscal stability, job creation, and peace,” President Hichilema stated in his message, calling for a blend of public and private financing embedded in national budgets and development plans. He stressed that addressing the water and sanitation crisis is not merely a technical challenge but a test of Africa’s collective resolve.
The conference, held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre from May 27 to 29, 2025, brings together African leaders, regional bodies, development partners, and sector stakeholders. Under the theme “Assuring Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sanitation for the Africa We Want,” the event aims to shape the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and Policy.
Vice President Nalumango reiterated Zambia’s dedication to enhancing inclusive transboundary and international water cooperation at all levels for peace and shared prosperity. She also highlighted Zambia’s implementation of several programs and projects related to water supply, sanitation, and hygiene interventions, including the establishment of the Zambia Water Investment Programme and the Blue Economy Strategy.

The conference also featured remarks from EU Ambassador to Zambia and COMESA, Karolina Stasiak, who acknowledged the challenges in sustainable water resource management in Zambia, particularly in rural areas. She noted the EU’s collaboration with the Zambian government through the Nexus Energy and Water Programme for Zambia (NEWZA) and support for revising key national policy instruments.
Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Collins Nzovu welcomed the African Union’s choice of “Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems” as the AU theme for 2026. He emphasized that the Implementation Framework emerging from PANAFCON-3 must be bold, actionable, and grounded in the lived experiences of African communities.
PANAFCON-3 continues to serve as a pivotal platform for fostering partnerships, inspiring change, and driving investment in sanitation and hygiene across the continent

The opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) has strongly condemned the proposed constitutional amendments by the UPND-led government, calling them a calculated scheme to extend President Hakainde Hichilema’s grip on power rather than a genuine effort to promote national development.

Speaking in Kabwe, FDD spokesperson Anthony Chibuye urged citizens across Zambia to resist what he described as political manipulation disguised as legal reform. He argued that the draft Constitution Amendment Bill of 2025 is neither inclusive nor developmental but simply a tool for political survival.

“This proposal is designed to serve the interests of a select few,” Chibuye declared. “The same President who danced on the grave of Bill 10 is now trying to reintroduce similar provisions, proving how inconsistent and opportunistic this administration truly is.”

Chibuye emphasized that the current economic hardships in Zambia, from overburdened healthcare systems to decaying education infrastructure reflect misplaced government priorities. He expressed concern over a ballooning public wage bill and rising expenditure, which he believes will worsen if the number of MPs increases as proposed.

“How can we even consider expanding Parliament when we can’t adequately fund hospitals or schools?” he asked. “This government is failing to provide for its people, yet it wants to accommodate more MPs, complete with hefty salaries and allowances.”

One of the key proposals under scrutiny is the idea of integrating Members of Parliament into local councils a move Chibuye said would create confusion and violate the principle of separation of powers. He warned that allowing MPs to double as councillors would concentrate power in dangerous ways.

“There must be institutional independence,” he stated. “If a minister who is also an MP sits in a council meeting, what role exactly are they playing as lawmaker, executive, or local planner? It’s a governance mess waiting to happen.”

Chibuye further accused the government of trying to sneak in amendments under the guise of inclusion, such as adding representatives for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, without committing to genuine empowerment. He challenged President Hichilema to reveal how many appointees in his administration are under the age of 35 or from marginalized groups.

“Proportional representation sounds good, but what’s the actual impact?” he asked. “Three representatives for people with disabilities in Parliament won’t transform the system. It’s window dressing.”

Another controversial clause in the proposed bill would allow ministers and MPs to remain in office up to 90 days before an election a reversal of the current practice where Parliament is dissolved three months prior to the vote. Chibuye said the timing of this change raises red flags.

“It’s becoming clear that the President is preparing for a difficult re-election,” he claimed. “These changes are not about good governance. They’re about stacking the deck.”

The FDD also accused the UPND of engineering by-elections in recent months to consolidate parliamentary numbers ahead of the constitutional amendment vote. Chibuye urged lawmakers, particularly independents and disillusioned PF MPs, to reject the bill and “put Zambia first.”

“This is not the time for political calculations,” he said. “It’s the time to defend democracy. Parliamentarians must decide whether they stand with the people or with a regime increasingly looking to entrench itself.”

Chibuye concluded by calling for an independent, participatory constitution review process not one dominated by the ruling party. He stressed that the law must reflect a national consensus, not partisan ambition.

“Zambians deserve a constitution that protects them, not politicians,” he said. “We’ve been down this road before with Bill 10. Let’s not be fooled again.”

Kalaba Slams Government’s Economic Messaging: “Zambians Are Tired of GDP Rhetoric”

Lusaka, Zambia – Veteran politician and former Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba has launched a scathing critique of the government’s portrayal of economic progress, dismissing recent narratives around Zambia’s GDP growth as misleading and out of touch with the lived realities of ordinary citizens. His remarks, aimed squarely at officials who tout economic figures as signs of national prosperity, signal mounting frustration among opposition leaders over what they call “statistical spin.”

Speaking at a public forum, Kalaba directly challenged recent claims by Ministry of Finance officials that Zambia’s economy is growing steadily, citing mining exports and optimistic GDP forecasts. “The mining sector contributes over 70 percent of our export value, but in terms of GDP, it’s only around 12 percent,” he noted. “So how can anyone say the sector is thriving?”

Kalaba’s critique centers on what he sees as a disconnect between projected growth and actual developmental outcomes. While Zambia’s macroeconomic indicators may show slight improvements, he argues that those gains have not translated into better livelihoods, job creation, or poverty reduction particularly in rural and underserved communities.

“These numbers are not helping anyone on the ground. Zambians are tired of figures,” Kalaba said. “You hear someone saying, ‘Last year the GDP was 2.5%, this year it’s 3.4%, and next year it’ll be 6%.’ But what do those percentages mean for someone who can’t afford a bag of mealie meal?”

The critique appeared to be aimed at Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, whom Kalaba accused  albeit indirectly of presenting inflated optimism. “Those GDPs of his are not helping us,” Kalaba quipped, prompting applause from attendees at the event.

His comments come as Zambia continues to recover from a prolonged debt crisis and grapples with economic headwinds including inflation, currency fluctuations, and a persistent youth unemployment rate. The government has pointed to structural reforms and international support, including a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as evidence of a country on the mend. But critics argue that reforms have disproportionately benefited elites and foreign investors while leaving ordinary citizens behind.

A major point of contention, Kalaba noted, is the mining sector itself. While foreign mining firms receive generous tax incentives and policy concessions, their economic impact remains limited when measured by contribution to GDP or employment creation. “Incentivizing foreign corporations without ensuring real local benefits that’s a failed strategy,” he added.

Economists and civil society organizations have echoed some of Kalaba’s concerns. Though GDP remains a critical measure of national output, experts argue that it often fails to capture inequality, quality of life, or grassroots economic resilience. “Growth must be inclusive,” says economist Dr. Mirriam Banda. “If your GDP is rising but your people are getting poorer, then you’ve misread your own success.”

Kalaba’s remarks reflect a broader opposition narrative that seeks to reframe Zambia’s economic debate around equity, dignity, and accountability. Rather than championing abstract economic milestones, he called on the government to address core needs such as education, healthcare, rural development, and access to affordable commodities.

“There’s a difference between economic figures and economic justice,” Kalaba said. “We must stop hiding behind percentages and start delivering results that people can feel in their homes.”

Makebi Zulu Warns of Dangerous Power Grab as Government Seeks to Alter Constitution

Lusaka, Zambia
Prominent lawyer and former Member of Parliament, Makebi Zulu, has sharply criticized the Zambian government’s reported intentions to amend the constitution to expand presidential powers over parliamentary appointments. In a strongly worded statement, Zulu warned that bypassing the people in constitutional reform risks setting a dangerous precedent and eroding the democratic foundations of the nation.

Speaking on the matter, Zulu challenged the legitimacy of the proposal, arguing that the current constitutional limit on presidential appointees,capped at eight members of parliament has never been a subject of public discontent. He questioned why such a change is being considered now, suggesting the move is politically motivated rather than a response to national demand.

“You can’t have the President want to take away the question of appointment of nominees just to allow him to appoint as many as he wants to the National Assembly,” Zulu said. “No one has ever complained about that. Who has decided that this is a necessity in the current dispensation?”

His remarks come amid whispers of constitutional tinkering intended to remove key checks on executive authority. While the ruling party has yet to formally announce such amendments, insiders within legal and political circles have raised alarm over growing signs of centralized control and exclusion of civil discourse.

Zulu went further, asserting that any constitutional amendment that lacks public input cannot claim legitimacy. “Any amendment, if it has to be legitimate, has to start from the people. The constitution draws its legitimacy from the people,” he said. “If the people say no, and the government goes ahead and does it by hook or crook, then there’s no legitimacy that will accrue to that constitution.”

Legal experts have echoed Zulu’s concern, pointing to Zambia’s history of constitutional reform processes  both progressive and controversial. The most enduring efforts, they argue, have been those born from consensus and national dialogue, not executive directive.

Recent political trends have fueled unease over the direction of the country’s governance. Civic groups and opposition leaders have long expressed anxiety about the executive branch extending its reach into institutions that are meant to remain independent. The judiciary, the electoral commission, and parliament have all come under scrutiny in recent years for perceived biases or lack of autonomy.

Critics say that allowing the President unchecked powers to appoint MPs would only worsen matters, further eroding trust in the National Assembly’s ability to hold the executive accountable. With the balance of power already tilted heavily toward the presidency, such a move could reduce parliament to little more than a rubber stamp a danger in any democracy.

Constitutional law professor Mwansa Mulenga notes, “It’s not just about what the President can do, it’s about what future presidents might do with the same power. That’s why we must always be cautious when making fundamental changes to the nation’s legal framework.”

Meanwhile, civil society organizations have begun mobilizing to resist any such constitutional amendments that circumvent public consultation. Petitions, town halls, and community outreach efforts are reportedly in the works to ensure citizens are informed and involved in any process that might alter the nation’s founding document.

For Zulu, the warning is clear: The people must not be sidelined in shaping the laws that govern them. “Constitutional power comes from the will of the people,” he said. “Not the will of one man or one party.”