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This report chapter examines the nature and extent of crime in Zambia, highlighting systemic issues in the criminal justice system, pervasive corruption in public institutions, and the challenges of combating drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal migration.

This report, published by the Institute for Security Studies in April 2009 as part of the African Human Security Initiative (AHSI), evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system in Zambia. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including desktop research, interviews, and focus groups with 1,000 respondents across various provinces. It examines the legal framework, the role of law enforcement, the judiciary, prisons, and customary justice, while highlighting significant challenges in accessing official crime statistics and government records.

This report chapter examines the incidence and nature of crime in Zambia, focusing on the challenges of data collection, high levels of perceived corruption, drug and human trafficking, and the complexities of illegal migration. It highlights a systemic failure in the criminal justice system, where reporting and conviction rates vary significantly by province, and identifies corruption as a pervasive issue across public institutions, particularly within the police service.