Claim
A Facebook post published on 11 May 2026 by a page identified as “Lily Muntamz TV” claimed that Chief Justice Dr. Mumba Malila had formally resigned from his position on 7th May 2026. The post included a purported resignation letter and accompanying captions claiming that the resignation was linked to Zambia’s political situation and the 2026 elections. The post further contained inflammatory political commentary, including statements attacking the UPND government and suggesting that the resignation confirmed earlier rumours.
Verdict: FALSE
The claim by Lily Muntamz Tv that the Chief Justice of the Republic of Zambia Dr. Mumba Malila resigned on 7 May 2026, is false. There is no credible evidence that Chief Justice Dr. Mumba Malila resigned from office on 7 May 2026. The circulating letter contains multiple signs of fabrication, including the use of an incorrect government letterhead and a questionable signature. The Judiciary has officially refuted the claim. Therefore, the claim is FALSE.
Rating Justification
iVerify Zambia reviewed the circulating document using various verification tools, examined the format and institutional identifiers used, and sought clarification from the Judiciary. Our verification brought to the fore several inconsistencies that undermine the authenticity of the alleged resignation letter. These include the following:
- The purported letter used the letterhead “Office of the President” instead of the official Judiciary of Zambia letterhead. The Judiciary is an independent arm of government and communicates through its own official institutional branding and channels.
- The format, structure, and presentation of the alleged letter did not match official Judiciary correspondence standards.
- A review of the signature appearing on the document revealed inconsistencies, suggesting that the signature was likely forged or digitally manipulated.
- The Judiciary publicly dismissed the circulating document as false. Deputy Corporate Communications Officer Mrs. Kalumba Chisambisha-Slavin issued a statement refuting the claim and cautioning members of the public against spreading misinformation and forged documents online.
- The Judiciary further urged citizens to verify information using official communication platforms and warned against the misuse of social media to spread disinformation, harassment, fraud, and falsehoods.
Additionally, publicly available information shows that Chief Justice Dr. Mumba Malila has continued carrying out official duties in recent weeks, including presiding over judicial and legal sector engagements. The claim also follows a growing trend of fabricated resignation letters and forged government documents circulating on Zambian social media platforms ahead of the 2026 General Elections. Earlier in 2026, law enforcement agencies investigated similar fake resignation letters falsely attributed to President Hakainde Hichilema.
Conclusion
As the country gears towards the General Elections, fake documents and misinformation targeting public institutions can undermine public trust, fuel political tension, and mislead citizens during an important democratic period. False claims about the resignation of a Chief Justice who heads one of the three arms of government can create unnecessary panic, confusion, and speculation about the independence and stability of the Judiciary. Such disinformation can also damage the reputations of individuals and institutions, weaken confidence in official communication channels, and contribute to the spread of disinformation online. Verifying claims before sharing them helps protect public trust, promotes informed public discourse, and supports accountability and the rule of law.
