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The JCC had investigated them over allegations of gross misconduct following a complaint by Moses Kalonde, a private citizen.

Last year, the JCC rejected a complaint from lawyer Joseph Busenga, who had petitioned for the removal of the three judges, alleging that they had mishandled the 2016 election petition.

Under Zambia's constitution, all judges, including the chief justice, are appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the JCC and with the approval of the National Assembly.

Mr Busenga, who now works as a diplomat at the Zambian embassy in Belgium, in 2022 petitioned the JCC to remove the three judges from office citing the "improper manner" in which they had handled the 2016 presidential election petition.

After two years of investigations, President Hichilema on Monday suspended them on the recommendation of the JCC, the presidency said.