Zambian President dismisses three top Judges amid allegations of Judicial misconduct

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has fired three Constitutional Court judges he previously suspended over alleged judicial misconduct, raising concerns about political interference in the judiciary.

The judges—Annie Sitali, Mungeni Mulenga, and Palan Mulonda—were involved in two controversial rulings. In 2016, they dismissed Hichilema’s challenge to former President Edgar Lungu’s election victory and later allowed Lungu to run for a third term in 2021, despite concerns about constitutional limits.

Their dismissal came after they lost a court bid to challenge a judicial panel’s recommendation for their suspension.

A statement from the presidency said they were “removed with immediate effect” based on advice from the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC).

Public reactions are divided. Some Zambians view the move as legal but politically motivated, with social commentator Laura Miti expressing concerns about potential revenge for the 2016 ruling.

In contrast, Makebi Zulu, Lungu’s lawyer, criticized the dismissal as an “illegality,” accusing the president of interfering with judicial independence.

Political analyst Sishuwa Sishuwa argued that the root of the problem lies in the appointment process, which grants the executive too much influence over the judiciary.

He called for broader reforms rather than individual removals to address deeper issues in Zambia’s judicial system.