State Reaches Plea Agreement with David Kazadi and Two Co-Accused

The State has reached a plea agreement with film producer David Kazadi and his two co-accused, Mwaka Halwindi and Ruby Muzandu, the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has heard.

The development was brought to the attention of Magistrate Kawama Mwamfuli on Monday, 9 November 2026, when the matter came up for commencement of trial.

The prosecution informed the court that the agreement had been concluded under the Plea Negotiations and Agreements Act No. 20 of 2010, but was yet to be served on the defence lawyers and formally filed before the court.

Magistrate Mwamfuli directed the State to ensure that the agreement was served on the defence and filed before the close of business on Monday.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to 18 November 2026 for an application by the State.

Senior Public Prosecutor Judith Mauka and Public Prosecutor Hope Mikwala are prosecuting the case.

Kazadi, Halwindi and Muzandu had previously pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the alleged production, possession and circulation of obscene material.

An earlier trial sitting scheduled for September was postponed because the magistrate was engaged in election petition tribunal hearings.

The development comes as the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), working with the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), the Legal Aid Board and the Judiciary, promotes greater use of plea negotiations as an alternative means of resolving criminal cases.

Although the Plea Negotiations and Agreements Act has been in force since 2010, the NPA says the process remains underused.

As part of efforts to raise awareness, the NPA, LAZ and the Legal Aid Board have visited Chimbokaila and Mwembeshi correctional facilities to educate remanded accused persons about plea negotiations and the procedures involved.

The wider use of plea agreements in appropriate cases is expected to help reduce congestion in remand facilities and save time and resources for the courts, victims, accused persons and witnesses.

However, plea agreements remain subject to judicial scrutiny. They require an accused person to undertake to plead guilty to an offence disclosed by the facts, while the court retains the responsibility to examine the agreement and ensure that its acceptance is consistent with the interests of justice and the public interest.

The agreement involving Kazadi and his co-accused is therefore still subject to the required court proceedings.