THE Non-Governmental Gender Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has welcomed the enactment of the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act, No. 4 of 2026, which has rendered all sexual offences non-bailable.

In a statement issued to ZANIS, NGOCC Executive Director, Anne Anamela the Council described the amendment as a landmark and progressive step towards strengthening Zambia’s legal framework in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (GBV).

Ms Anamela said the new law sends a strong message that sexual offences such as rape, defilement and incest are serious crimes that must attract firm legal consequences.

“This amendment sends a strong and unequivocal message that sexual offences are grave crimes and human rights violations that warrant firm legal consequences,” she said.

She explained that removing bail for such offences will help reduce cases of suspects interfering with investigations, tampering with evidence, and intimidating witnesses, thereby improving chances of successful prosecution.

Ms Anamela further noted that the enactment of the law reflects sustained advocacy efforts by civil society organisations, including the NGOCC network, which had long called for sexual offences to be made non-bailable.