Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has dismissed three Constitutional Court judges he previously suspended over allegations of judicial misconduct, fueling concerns of political interference in the judiciary. The judges—Justice Annie Sitali, Justice Mungeni Mulenga, and Justice Palan Mulonda—were involved in controversial rulings, including the dismissal of Hichilema’s 2016 presidential petition and allowing former President Edgar Lungu to contest the 2021 elections despite serving two terms.
The presidency announced their immediate removal following a recommendation from the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC). The decision came after the judges lost their appeal for a review of their suspension by a judicial panel. The JCC had investigated the judges after a private citizen filed a complaint of gross misconduct.
The dismissals have sparked mixed reactions, with political tensions rising ahead of the 2026 elections. While some view the move as legal but self-serving, others, including Lungu’s lawyer, have labeled it an illegal executive overreach aimed at undermining judicial independence.
Political analysts have pointed out that Zambia’s process for appointing judges, led by the executive, continues to raise concerns about impartiality in the judiciary.
