Zambia’s Hichilema fires judges over alleged misconduct

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has fired three top judges he had previously suspended for alleged judicial misconduct, pushing further accusations of political interference in the judiciary. According to the BBC, these judges were involved in a 2016 presidential petition where they dismissed Hichilema’s challenge to former President Edgar Lungu’s election victory.

They also participated in a contentious ruling that allowed Lungu to run in the 2021 elections, despite his having served two terms as president. Their dismissal followed the judges losing a court application to review the decision that recommended their suspension.

Moreover, on Sunday evening, a statement released by the presidency said they had been “removed with immediate effect” following a recommendation by the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC). The three judges – Justice Annie Sitali, Justice Mungeni Mulenga, and Justice Palan Mulonda – have not publicly commented on the matter.